I have a 1993 Corolla with 150k miles. It has been used primarily as a winter vehicle so it runs infrequently. I noticed this past winter that I would turn the key and I would hear multiple clicks, turn the key again and it would start. It progressively got worse. Now I can't get it to start at all.
I have changed the battery, cleaned the battery cables, and had the starter tested at both auto zone and oreillys (both places indicated nothing was wrong). I have also tried a new ignition switch. Nothing has worked.
When i turn the key i hear a single click. While i leave the key in the on position it seems like the battery is temporarily drained as the lights are dimmed significantly. They gradually get brighter and the door chime comes back after 5-10 minutes.
I read a post earlier about a gentleman having a similar problem to mine. He was advised to get new contacts for his starter. Could this be my problem as well?
I read a post earlier about a gentleman having a similar problem to mine. He was advised to get new contacts for his starter. Could this be my problem as well?
It very well could be, just check the wires to your starter, because a friend had a wire that had the coating shaved off in one place, and it was touching the metal body of the car, and grounding out.
Sounds like the solenoid is kicking in, with starter gear engaging flywheel, but the starter motor irtself is not turning.
Remove starter and have it tested.
Sounds like the solenoid is kicking in, with starter gear engaging flywheel, but the starter motor irtself is not turning.
Remove starter and have it tested.
As I noted in the original post, I've had it tested at two different places. Would the tests have failed if the starter contacts were bad?
As I noted in the original post, I've had it tested at two different places. Would the tests have failed if the starter contacts were bad?
Yeah, I would think so.
I'm thinking the starter is not getting enough power to achieve the neccessary torque to turn the engine over. Like stated above, check all battery connections that lead all the way to the starter.
Then where are you losing your power? Usually those symptoms are from corroded battery terminals. They also have to be tightly attached. I had one car I worked on where the nut holding the terminal was VERY tight, but I easily pulled the terminal off. A little work and it was tightly attached.
Rotten battery cable? I had this problem. my positive and negative terminals were corroded badly due to a battery which was seeping acid around the posts BECAUSE there was a loose battery hold down (no hold down initially). So acid was eating the posts and terminals and actually WICKING into the wires through capillary action. Replacing the terminals 'fixed' it for a little while, but it came back. Starter was good, terminals were tight and clean, but the problem persisted. I looked further into it and found that the positive cable to the starter was filled with corrosion for the first 5 inches! I had to cut it out and patch in new cable to reach the battery. Never had a problem since I did that AND replaced the battery and terminals again. I've seen this problem on MANY cars that get starters replaced often.
as said, check the battery terminals, take them off, sand the inside with some sandpaper to get rid of the crap on them, and put them back on the battery...this usually works for me, as my battery is slightly leaking ond doesn't start sometimes lol
Rotten battery cable? I had this problem. my positive and negative terminals were corroded badly due to a battery which was seeping acid around the posts BECAUSE there was a loose battery hold down (no hold down initially). So acid was eating the posts and terminals and actually WICKING into the wires through capillary action. Replacing the terminals 'fixed' it for a little while, but it came back. Starter was good, terminals were tight and clean, but the problem persisted. I looked further into it and found that the positive cable to the starter was filled with corrosion for the first 5 inches! I had to cut it out and patch in new cable to reach the battery. Never had a problem since I did that AND replaced the battery and terminals again. I've seen this problem on MANY cars that get starters replaced often.
You're the man, this fixed it. Thanks to everyone for their help.
The Following User Says Thank You to ajc99z For This Useful Post:
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