2006 Toyota Avalon Engine

WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AND GREEN LIGHT ON,WHEN THE START BUTTON IS PRESSED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WILL BUZZ BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WILL BUZZ AND THE ENGINE WILL FIRE AND THEN DIE. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. THE DEALER CHECKED FOR CODES AND THERE ARE NONE. CALLS TO THE ZONE AND DISTRICT OFFICES HAVE OFFERED NO SOLUTION. THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WE DO NOT USE THE CAR FOR TRIPS IN FEAR IT WILL HAPPEN AND WE WILL BE UNABLE TO START THE CAR AND BE STRANDED A DISTANCE FROM A DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY ENGAGING THE BRAKES OR NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVING MAT WASN'T THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. ON THREE OCCASIONS HE SPOKE WITH LEXUS, TOYOTA AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE FROM AUGUST 11TH TO AUGUST 13TH AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT READ AN ARTICLE RE: LEXUS 350 ES EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7295.

WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS FOR A QUICK ACCELERATION, THERE IS ALMOST A GAGGING SULFUR SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY VIA AN ON-RAMP OR JUST PASSING ANOTHER CAR. *NM