Newbie with Possible Starter Problem

[Lazhil]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, other than my introduction post.
I have a 1997 Corolla DX.
I bought it about six months ago, it has a ton of miles, 175K miles but the previous owner had just replaced the water pump, timing belts and all other belts, tires, battery, wires, etc.
The engine was squeaky clean, not a single drop of oil spilled on the engine.
The car runs perfect, has great gas mileage...1 tank of gas lasts about 10 days of a 35 mile daily commute in Atlanta.
Here over the last two months, when I try to start the car, it clicks once and it won't start the engine.
I thought it was the battery but it's not, I've had it charging from someone else's car.
I can keep on trying and trying and then the car eventually will start.
I think that is the starter. Is that the starter going all bad or is the the solenoid or the solenoid contacts?
I don't know jack about cars but my father in law does and we work on our cars together so we could take care of it ourselves. I just need some guidance in terms of diagnosing the problem.
Can anyone give me any insights? It's greatly appreciated as I'm on single income home with a kid and a wife in college so anything I can do on the cheap side works.

[MrGiggles]

My BIL's Suburban did the same thing. Turned out the starter was fine and it was the solenoid.

Remove the starter, and jump it directly bypassing the solenoid. If the starter still doesn't work then the starter is bad or needs new brushes.

[kevmac]

If you get clicking sounds instead of cranking sounds then you have a bad starter or bad battery or weak ground to the starter. Test the battery. If 14 volts, your good. If less than 12 volts, worry. The starter can be rebuilt but might be worth replacing.

[gideon1331]

That certainly sounds like your starter contacts. The only problem with the car is that the location of the starter is a royal PITA to remove and reinstall. The set of contacts shouldn't be more than $7.50 (same contacts as the Camry & Avalon if some place claims to not carry them). They are just small copper contacts that take severe wear every single time the car starts.

I had mine replaced at arount 185k...it was taking a couple turns to start the car...the first was just a click and no cranking. The starters themselves rarely fail on these cars...they are very well made...but the soft copper contacts can only take so much punishment before they wear out.

EDIT: In reference to the voltage problem...You have a DX, which means it has a 1.8L. If it was manufactured in North America you have a Delco alternator. Delco anything (GM parts) are known for one thing, and one thing only....failure. So it is certainly worth checking your voltage too. I went through 4 Delco alternators between 110,000 and 195,000 on my '94.