Trouble Getting '99 To Crank - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

CarMon225 · 10-25-2009, 08:27 PM

Hello folks. I'm brand new to the forum and just got through spending about 30 minutes searching on this problem but it seems no one else has experienced this.

It is my brother-in-laws car, a 99 Corolla.

He describes this:
Sometimes when he goes to turn the key, it will not start. No click, no nothing. Apparently the dome light is bright when this happens. So battery strength does not appear to be the issue. He says he has to wiggle the steering wheel and the ignition switch and eventually the car starts. It does not always happen. Only once in a while.

He took it to a shop but was not able to duplicate the problem, and so the shop was not able to help him.

To me, it sounds like an ignition switch problem. But like I mentioned, I searched on this in the forum and found nothing similar.

What could be happening here folks?

Thank you.

Jason
SW Florida

Crowbar911 · 10-25-2009, 08:56 PM

I know you probably already looked at this, but when you say wiggle the steering wheel, do you mean that the steering wheel is locked, and thus the key wont turn the the "start" position?

If so, thats some sort of security feature of the car.

CarMon225 · 10-26-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowbar911

I know you probably already looked at this, but when you say wiggle the steering wheel, do you mean that the steering wheel is locked, and thus the key wont turn the the "start" position?
If so, thats some sort of security feature of the car.

Thanks but no. The key will turn to the start position, but sometimes the car simply will not crank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ///Man

well if the mechanics can't replicate, maybe he is doing something stupid.

I should have added the word "intermittent problem" into the original post.

Anyone with some experience have any idea what could be going on here? Thank you very much.

CraigW · 10-26-2009, 11:40 AM

Sounds like the classic Toyota pitted starter solenoid plunger to me. You can remove the plunger and clean it up and it should work fine. The contacts/terminals may or may not be worn, you could have a look once you get it out.

glow-plug · 10-26-2009, 06:06 PM

Is the car an automatic or standard.

CarMon225 · 10-26-2009, 06:45 PM

95% sure it is automatic.

glow-plug · 10-27-2009, 06:19 AM

Do the dash lights come on?

Ensure the neutral safety switch is set correctly, if it won't start in park, if the shift is then moved to the N position will it start?

CarMon225 · 10-27-2009, 07:52 AM

Thanks guys. I am going to mail my brother-in-law this thread (he doesn't have internet access) so that he can try some of the things suggested.

CraigW · 10-27-2009, 02:20 PM

Do a google search for toyota starter problems, and find the one for the 4 X 4. It has some pictures of the starter and the contacts. All the starters are similar design. Like I said if the contacts are not damaged the plunger can be cleaned and it will work like new for quite a while.