Electrical, Battery & StartingDiscussionCommunity Starter

2018 Toyota Camry — no crank with full dash power, then it starts later

ShopRoadieCommunity StarterFeb 21, 20262018 Toyota Camry SESeattle
2018 Toyota Camry SE, about 154,500 miles. Twice I have had full lights and accessories but no crank. After waiting a few minutes it starts normally. Battery terminals look clean. What would you want to measure during the actual failure?
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6 replies

CleanWrench273Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 22, 2026permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. Two 2018 Toyota Camrys can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. Save the big job until that test fails. This is from a 2018 Toyota Camry in Seattle with 154,500 miles. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Make the next action something you can finish this week. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
RotorDaily416Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 23, 2026permalink
Not convinced that's the whole story. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2018 Toyota Camry catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. No warning lights, which is why I'm documenting it.
CleanWrench273Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 22, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2018 Toyota Camry is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I keep a notes app thread for this now.
ProjectCollector493Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 22, 2026permalink
If it were in my driveway, get a real battery/charging test on the 2018 Toyota Camry, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. Save the big job until that test fails. This is from a 2018 Toyota Camry in Seattle with 154,500 miles. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. Not trying to scare you — just skip the expensive first guess. I keep a notes app thread for this now.
WeekendRoadie414Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 22, 2026permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2018 Toyota Camry and see if the fault moves. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
HighwayGeek802Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 23, 2026permalink
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2018 Toyota Camry does it — then decide on parts. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “no crank with full dash power, then,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
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