Starting Issues/Vibration Issues

[kpszar]

Well after I bought a new batery, they car has a hard time to start. I am pretty sure that it is not the battery, my radar detector has a volt meter buit in to it and is reading 14.1 volts.

The first problem is starting when the car is sitting for while. When I put the key in the ignition and turn it to start the car, it would just make a clicking noise. The longer the car sits, the longer and harder it starts. When I leave the car for 12 hours, I would have to try to start the car 10 times or more. If the car sits for 3 hours it would take 3-5 tries.

My father says that it could be the key unit itself (the steering wheel) or It could be the starter. I checked my batery if I tighten every thing ok and if there is any corrosion on the terminals.

The second problem is vibration when driving on the highway. I start driving at 60 mph and it would started to vibrate very badly. I thought I was loosing a wheel. It calms down for a few seconds. Then It would come back agian, travelling at 65mph. I was just going strait, no turns.

The tires are balanced, and this started happening after the starting issue. I have a less than a 2 year old alternator. Also I just had the brakes done 3 days ago. (Some how the old breaks warped very badly after 6,000 miles and lucky for me, I still under warrenty) My third set of brakes! I have a 6 month old NGK Plugs and wires. I have to see if they tighten the tires good or something is rubbing the brakes creating this vibration.

Recently I am having many problems with this car recently and hopes it stops because I am loosing hope. Car hass less htan 61,000 miles!

[toyomoho]

If the starter just clicks the issue is not with the key. Would look at the starter solenoid, this is bolted to the stater.

For more detailed info go to the Autozone website. They have a vehicle repair guide for this car covering the starter.

Did the vibration start after the brake job? Is the vibration any worse when braking.

Check the tires for damage. Try swapping the front tires with the rear or rotating in the spare to determine if one tire is bad.

Jack up the front each front tire, grab the tire at the 3 and 9 O'clock positions and shake it. Check for play. Compare one side with the other. Could be a tie rod end, bushing, etc. But at only 61K this would not be typical.

[kpszar]

The tires were fine before the brake job, so it can't be tires.

When I turn a little the vibration stops, but when I drive strait it begins to vibrate. And when I brake it does not vibrate.

[new echo owner]

Wheel bearing? Which way do you to stop the vibration?

And agree with toyomoho on the starter.

N.E.O.

[kpszar]

UPDATE: Video added
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMNwwiUr10U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgl1pC17xKA

Also, can some one tell me what light is that left of the "open doors" light? It seen that every time I try to start it turns on.


NEO: When I go into a slight right or left bent it stops, it only happens if I try to go strait @ 60-65 MPH

[new echo owner]

Check the wheels/tires for play like toyomoho had suggested with the front end of the ground.

Your starting problem maybe cause by worn out starter contacts.

N.E.O.

[kpszar]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Check the wheels/tires for play like toyomoho had suggested with the front end of the ground.

Your starting problem maybe cause by worn out starter contacts.

N.E.O.

I will jack up the car to see if there is play with the tires and double check the pads and routers.

And for the starter, I will check but don't you have to remove the battery and the cruise control/ cable unit to check? Also on Monday, I am going to get everything checked, alternator, starter and other things at a local parts shop. I just hope it is something simple and cheap

[new echo owner]

Taking the battery out would help to remove the starter. And you do have to take it out to inspect the starter contacts; however, the contacts is one of the most common cause of starting problem where it only makes one click and stop, especially since you have verified that the battery is good. Make sure the cables are clean and tighten too.

N.E.O.

[cruisn76]

I've got the same problem with wheel vibration too. Ever since i swapped my snows with steelies (properly balanced) the rear shakes even more. NEO would you suspect the rear wheel bearing? How would one tell?

[new echo owner]

Originally Posted by cruisn76

I've got the same problem with wheel vibration too. Ever since i swapped my snows with steelies (properly balanced) the rear shakes even more. NEO would you suspect the rear wheel bearing? How would one tell?

If you were not have problem with the regular street tires/wheels, then I doubt very much the vibration would be cause by a bad wheel bearing. Are they studded snow or studdless snow tires? Most of the times, wheel bearing will cause noises before they will cause vibration, but there are exception. You can check the wheel bearing the same way that toyomoho had described for the front.

N.E.O.

[cruisn76]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

If you were not have problem with the regular street tires/wheels, then I doubt very much the vibration would be cause by a bad wheel bearing. Are they studded snow or studdless snow tires? Most of the times, wheel bearing will cause noises before they will cause vibration, but there are exception. You can check the wheel bearing the same way that toyomoho had described for the front.

N.E.O.

I had lots of vibration with regular 4 season Toyos when I applied the brakes at 80 km/h and above. The faster the speed, the greater the vibrations. Now when I drive with winter tires, the brake vibration is gone, but the shaking happens when cruising at 100 km/h and above. just before 100 km/h there is no shake, anyway between 100-110, some shaking, from 110-120, very shaky, and 120 and beyond no shaking.

[new echo owner]

Originally Posted by cruisn76

I had lots of vibration with regular 4 season Toyos when I applied the brakes at 80 km/h and above. The faster the speed, the greater the vibrations. Now when I drive with winter tires, the brake vibration is gone, but the shaking happens when cruising at 100 km/h and above. just before 100 km/h there is no shake, anyway between 100-110, some shaking, from 110-120, very shaky, and 120 and beyond no shaking.

If the vibration is caused by the brakes you usually won't feel the vibration if you don't apply the brakes. And wouldn't have make any difference if you change the wheels/tires.

Have you notice any strange noises with the vibration that you are feeling? Does it change if you shift the vehicle's weight by turning the wheel like changing lanes? Can you feel it in the steering or a particular area of the car that you notice?

N.E.O.

[cruisn76]

No weird sounds, just a reversal of conditions between tires. 4 Season tires = brake vibration no shake on highway. Winter tires = no brake vibration, just highway shake.

[new echo owner]

You have a strange situation there. For the purpose of narrowing down possible causes, see if you can find a friend with a set of wheels and tires that you know is not having any issue, put it on your car to see if there is any change to your condition.

N.E.O.

[kpszar]

Well I just picked up my car from the shop, and it was the starter. It pretty strange that it will go out so quickly especially 61,000 miles but I guess due to its age.