Starter??? 03 CE

[trakaill]

Well I think I should detail the issue but Im pretty sure its the starter.
Last Thursday my car had a hard time cranking over (slowly). I shut the car back off and it started much easier the second time. The very first thing that came to mind was battery (well over 4 years old). So I went and bought a new battery right away.

The next day everything seemed ok so I stopped worrying about it.

Now saturday I go to start it and its really struggling to crank over (worst than thursday). I was like "hmm strange" again I shut the car off and tried again. Again it started right up! I drove about 200 yards to the grocery store. I walked out and BAM nothing happens when I turn the key!!!!!! The electric are on and all but no click or nothing car wont start!?!?!!?

I grab a volt meter and the battery indicates 12.7 V less than I want. I then fooled around a bit and now the battery is 12.1V I checked the voltage on the + side of the solenoid and its's only 11.0V first question: is that normal (doesnt seem to me).

Second question: even if 11V is low wouldnt I still hear the solenoid trying to actuate??

Now last but MOST IMPORTANT: I wanted to take off my starter to bench it at the local part store. I detached the only bolt they show on the book. The bolt right on top of that first one and the one on the starter motor itself (I think that was unecessary). I also detached the electrical connector and its wire. The motor assembly wont move one bit. Do I need WD40 or Im I doing something wrong???

[Bomix]

Funny,
My wife has a 03 corolla S w/155k on it, doing the same thing.
What I did was changed out the started. Thinking it would help. It didn't the car starts, but sounds like it's having a hard time. No CEL, so it seems ok. but when I start it up it just doesn't sound normal and I don't like that feeling. I wouldn't want her stranded somewhere knowing I could have prevented it.

I did however tinker with the old started before I changed it out.. BAd Idea... it was filled with grease on the other end where the brushes were, so I cleaned it out, and regreased the 3 little gears.. put it all back in the same night and it didn't turn over at all.. just a bunch of clicks.. after new starter installed it fired up great. I'm no mechanic.... obviously, But I'm still dealing with the same thing your dealing with. I'll try to get a youtube video up of what the corolla sounds like.

Sorry can't help on the voltage, Honestly, sounds like your starter is fine,, if your not sure about it, you can replace the brushes, they do wear out.

[trakaill]

Actually I had made a another post.. which I deleted and forgot to retype...
anyway. I got the starter off and replaced it. Im no mechanic either so it took much longer than it should have.
Its replaced and it starts fine now.. but the car is making other weird noises..
I guess 140K miles is when things start changing lol. Its still a good car for me though. I dont treat it as well as I could.