No starting along other issues

[Kingdom934]

Hey everybody,

A friend of mines has a '93 or '94 Corolla (unbadged). I ran into my friend when the car didn't start (I towed them back home). Since I'm more familar with the Camry family, I sorta don't know what the general problem (common) issues with the Corolla family is.

Starting issue : When trying to start the car, radio will turn off and turn back on. No dash light dim/turn off when trying to start. There is also no 'click' , 'clicking' or 'clank' indicating dead/weak battery or even starting trying to engage. Headlights also do not dim when I try start. I'm assuming the starter is the problem. Tried hitting starter to see if that would make it start. No go. Starter looks like has been there for a while. I had hard time looking for it since I'm so used to it being in the front haha. Tried starting also in Netual, same thing.

Headlight issue : I was told that the car headlights wouldn't work. They had to put the 'high beams' on for a bout a minute before the regular headlight turned on. Never heard of that before. Anybody knows what could cause it? Only happen once I believe

Wiper stalk issue : It's like broken...Doesn't have that 'click' feel. It just sorta dangles there like it's a broken arm. I was reading up on the forum and doesn't seem to hard to replace.

Door handles issue : All interior handles broken except driver. Figures this is a common problem with Camry and Corolla this age. This seems easy especially for the inside.

Dome light : One of the socket clips is missing so there's no bulb there. I'm assuming this is an easy replacement?



Any help would be great! Thanks!

[zythr]

Hey Are you looking to buy this car? If so, then look elsewhere. It's obvious this car has had a hard life and/or been abused.

[speedy25]

I think all the electrical issues can be traced to poor or non-existent grounds, and/or bad connections at the battery.

-SP

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by zythr

Hey Are you looking to buy this car? If so, then look elsewhere. It's obvious this car has had a hard life and/or been abused.

Actually a friend had already bought it. She got it as a present from her parents who went out and bought it, so yea, it's already a done deal. The car came from a middle aged couple from what I heard. Used more as a daily driver. Has working and cold AC though lol.

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by speedy25

I think all the electrical issues can be traced to poor or non-existent grounds, and/or bad connections at the battery.

-SP

Thats what I was comming across when I did more futher research regarding the issue(s). The car has had the major stuff done (timing, water pump) done, just the starter looked like it had not been replace in a while.

Also, the car has 190K on it so far. I'll let them know on what other possible issues could be it.




Personally, they paid a bit lot of the car with all those minor problems considering for the same price they got it for, a Gen3 Camry in decent shape would be the same price'ish'

[Kingdom934]

So I talked to my friend and she said that a 'chip' in the steering wheel was loose causing the car from not starting...Anybody knows what that could be since I don't think my friend doesn't know what it is? That way I can look at it next time if same occurs