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I can't start the engine by key but can start the engine with the remote starter. I can only hear the click sound. This happens at the cold start. Is it the battery problem? If yes, why does the remote can start the engine? Thx for any advice.
One option can be the connection to the selenoid on the sarter. poor connectiong can lead to poor contact. (make sure the terminal is crimped correctly and snugged tight).after checking all the connections give it another try.( proper battery voltage is a giveme, make sure you battery is above 10.5 voltage, if not take it to any auto parts store for a free charge. MAKE sure before removing any of the two battery terminals to ensure all elctronics and key is off and out of the ignition switch. a memory device is recommended for the newer vehicles to prevent memory loss, just stick it into your lighter hole. remove neg - side first then positive+. to inatll battery install positive+ first then neg-.
A costly ignition switch can also be a problem , but you would want to check all your ground connections before jumping into a costly job. if the security light is on check fuses to your radio, under the dash and under the hood.a simple and checp test light can be a big help for checking the fuses.
corolla254, thx for your analysis. I just change the battery two days ago. But this problem still happen occasionaly. Especially at the cold start, but not every cold start. If it is the ignition switch problem, why does this problem occur at the cold start? Any comment is welcome.
Without being able to check it its hard to give you an exact reason as to why it only happens at a cold start. I agree with Almighty tho, sure sounds like a ignition switch problem. Thats the only ignition component you bypass when you use the remote start. The electrical contacts in the switch my expand a little and make a better connection after the car and the interior are warmed up a little.
ok battery is out of the way , and yeah its hard to diag a car over the net , now the other question is when the key is turned and fails to turn over the engine, would the starter try to turn over or is it a click and thats all, or does it sound like a wam wam waa am and stop.then the next try you do the same wam wam waam and bam it turn on .lol wam i tried. does you remote start take time to turn it over or just in a bang .
possible problems.
BAD STARTER (yeah if the remote sarter turns it on why would it be ,the natural start of a vehicle is the ignition switch , not a remote starter.
BAD IGNITION SWITCH.or key (ignitions switch somtimes cant read a worn out key , if you have extra keys or a sponge bob hanging off of it , it creates a stress point inside the switch, (new ignition switch comes with new key
A short between the steering wheel and the front seat , j/k lol
POSSIBLE eninge tune up , oil change fuel treatment, sprak plugs,
other than that ill take it to a service shop and say they messed it up.
funny i think i was reading up on a diffrent forum with the same issue, the guy just went and had a new key made, and it started working, get your old key and take it to lowes or where ever you have a key maker, and try that 3.75 is what they normally run
It can still be bad contacts inside the starter's solenoid. The 1 click you are hearing may be an indication the igniton switch is good. That click is the starter relay. The next time it fails to start, tap the starter's solenoid with a wrench or samll hanner and see if it then starts. Just tap it, don't try to break it. An even better way to test for this is to have someone hold the key in the start position while you go under the hood and tap the starter's solenoid. If the car now starts, you have varified the worn starter solenoid contacts problem. If that is the case then do a search on this forum for "Starter Contacts" and read up on the problem and it's cures. It has been covered many times on this forum.
^ But wouldn't the remote start feature... which is working btw, still use the solenoid and starter?
Yes, but some times just working in and around the engine can bump things a bit; just enough to get the stater to turn. That's why I recommended the chaep and easy tap method of checking the starter's solenoid contacts.
Thanks for all the above recommendations. Just a update. After changing the battery, I can always start the engine by remote starter in the past 2 wks. I tried the key to start the engine a few times, and it also works fine. So I guess my probelm could be the battery issue. If this problem come back later, I'll follow the cheap to expensive solution. Thx again.
The problem came back about 3 or 4 wks ago. And both the key and remote control can't start the engine at the first click. Sometime I have to try 3 to 4 ignitions. Finally, I sent it to the shop and it turned out to be the starter contact issue. It is fixed now and runs perfectly. All above messages help a lot.
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, just stick it into your lighter hole.
remove neg - side first then positive+. 
to inatll battery install positive+ first then neg-.
Linear Mode
