Intermittant No Start Problem

[triggerman]

This started about 2-3 months ago. Went out in the morning, and nothing at all. Turned the key and not a sound (other than the radio). Third time I tried the key boom away it went happily. Scared me, but I carried on. About a week later no start again, this time with the classic loud clicking sound. Next day...no problem fired up first try. Out with the old starter and in with the new.

After I changed the starter I haven't a problem. Until yesterday...when again nothing at all. After a few LIGHT taps with a hammer it started fine. Perhaps I bought a crappy starter? Or is it something else? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Oh yes....'94 Corolla, 1.6L, auto. In the neighbourhood of 360,000km's or so.

[ganda1f]

Do you hear just a single click and then nothing? Most likely starter contacts, but could be a bad battery or poor connection. Once the starter is engaged the battery might not have enough power to actually crank the engine, but the voltage to the solenoid does not drop enough to cause the starter to disengage. Hence you just hear a single click when the solenoid engages the starter.

If you hear quickly repeating clicks, it is most likely the battery. Once the solenoid engages the starter, the voltage drops immediately so much that the solenoid cannot keep the starter engaged so it lets go. Voltage comes back, solenoid re-engages the starter, voltage drops, and so on, causing quickly repeated clicking.

[speedy25]

Make sure your battery terminals are CLEAN and TIGHT.

You would be suprised how many silly electrical problems are solved by this.

-SP

[triggerman]

I only had the clicking problem once, and that was on the former starter. Currently, I don't hear any sounds. It was the same story earlier today, no start, no sound, nothing. Again a few light taps with the old marteau, and it started fine. The terminals on the battery are good. The battery has a potential of 12.6V, and upon turning the key (in an attempt to start) dropped to approximately 11.7V.

[ganda1f]

When it does not start, open the hood and listen for a single metallic click from the starter when turning the key. More like a "clonk" sound actually. That will be the plunger in the starter switch-box engaging. If you can hear it, that would suggest worn starter contacts. Common issue, just pull out the starter and replace the contacts.

If you cannot hear it, then perhaps the solenoid winding in the starter is broken. Once tapped with a hammer, the windings may shift a tiny bit inside and the solenoid works.

Perhaps check the voltage at the starter terminals as well, not just the battery.

Still, when the clicking occurred the first time, was it a single click or continuous clicking?
When my battery was going out, it did the continuous clicking thing. Then it started w/o problem for a month or so. Then it started clicking again. That is when I replaced the battery and it solved the problem.

[triggerman]

Today it was fine. I'll be mindful, and listen for this "clonking" sound the next time it happens. As for the clicking incidence it was a single loud click. I could try and start it and every time it was a single click.

It's going to be rather tough to check the voltage at the starter terminals as I have no means to get under the car to check them. I'm a little pissed off because Canadian Tire wants $54 to diagnose and then re-charge me for replacing it if their starter is found to be defective.

[Scio_Veritas]

Do you possibly still have your original starter,if so change the contacts and reinstall.I had the same problem with the clicks no start.I replaced the contacts over a year and a half ago, starts everytime now.If you put in a rebuilt starter it could be junk.People say the best starter for our rollas are the original.

[hungt1999]

This is a classic problem for the 7th Corolla. When you turn the key, you typically hear a click sound and after many attempts, the starter will eventually catch and starts. The problem is intermittent at the beginning and will get worse over weeks or months.

It is the copper contacts inside the starter motor that wear out. This is very easy fix (I got the starter contacts at my Toyota dealer here in Montreal for $30). Go to the Toyota dealer and order the start contact kit (or Autozone for cheaper). Myself had that problem and I have helped a few other friends with the same problem. It only takes about a couple hours work. You have to remove the starter motor (2 bolts). The access is a bit akwark though but very feasible.

[ganda1f]

+1
Single click is definitely the copper contacts.

[Steelballz]

+2, if it were battery connections like speedy25 suggested there's be lots of short-interval clicks...it has to be the contacts, they just wear over time, so replace them and job done

if I remember right there are 2 either 12 or 14mm bolts holding the starter in, remove these and then the big thick wire from the solenoid (I think 10, its been a while though lol) and the starter should be ok to come out...never actually took apart a starter of a corolla yet, but take off the 2 small bolts that hold on the solenoid and it should all come apart.replace contacts, re-assemble and re-fit

[triggerman]

Thanks guys. This is a very intermittent problem that seems to be caused by a defective starter. It's a Champion re-manufactured piece of junk I guess, but luckily comes with a 3-year warranty that will likely become Canadian Tire's problem. I'll have to bite the bullet, and pay someone to diagnose it, and then re-pay to have the starter removed and replaced. Again, many thanks!

[Rip The E Brake]

You can remove the starter yourself.

Just jack up the car, and remove it with a socket and ratchet... not hard at all.