92 Corolla won't start... out of ideas

[BortV]

last week my car died while driving. When I tried to start it again the battery was dead. Tried to get a jump but it wouldn't take. Seems like a problem with the alternator so I replaced that and got a new battery, but it still won't start. It clicks once and then does nothing. I got the starter out, took it to get tested and apparently it's fine. Any ideas?

[eage8]

Originally Posted by BortV

last week my car died while driving. When I tried to start it again the battery was dead. Tried to get a jump but it wouldn't take. Seems like a problem with the alternator so I replaced that and got a new battery, but it still won't start. It clicks once and then does nothing. I got the starter out, took it to get tested and apparently it's fine. Any ideas?

you might have bad battery cables... I would try replacing them

or if it's a manual it could be the sensor that senses if your clutch pedal is depressed...

neither of these would cause your car to die while driving though... (but then again, neither would a bad battery or starter...)

[REN69]

Also it could be a blow fuse, check your fuses, specifically the ALT or EFI fuses.

[tashirosgt]

Those are good ideas. Also, bad starters sometimes test good. (They often fail by getting more and more unreliable instead of completely ceasing to work.) If you still have the starter out,use a voltmeter to see if you get battery voltage on the plus cable on the car that goes to the starter when the key is turned to start the engine. If your are getting voltage to the starter but the engine didn't turn over, the starter is the problem.

[90 GP]

I would suspect worn out starter solenoid contacts(replaceable and cheap) and the battery cables as previously mentioned. Would also suspect the ignition switch as it died on you while running.

[jmaz87]

1st check fuses like ren said efi ect...

2nd check batt voltage and alternator (make sure it's keeping charge and the alternator works)

3rd try push starting the car if it starts fine then it probably is just a bad start which i have replaced 3 times in as many years...

i strongly recommend getting a bosch starter as it has lasted the longest without giving me problems. i've only had to push-start once this year!!!

[fistofmeat]

there is a very good chance that it's the starter solenoids. when FINALLY mine went out there was no wear or hard starting. it literally worked perfectly one afternoon, then the next morning it wouldn't start, just *click*. only takes about 2 hours to do with a 24" ratchet extension and a 3/4" universal joint. the solenoid kit is only like 20 bucks, or you can make new ones from copper pipe if you feel like it, but the kit is worth the 20 bucks because it makes it so quick to get moving again.

[liquidflame802]

i agree with the solenoid. my rolla's starter solenoid is goin slowly but surely, doing the exact same things. but if you leave it for a while or get a jump the extra power finally crosses over the solenoid to the starter. weirdest thing. a while ago i got bored and was broke, so i put a wire running from the solenoid and whenever it would cease to crank, i'd pop the wire onto the positive bat terminal.

i should probably get a solenoid though, i look ridiculous when i have to pop the hood in a parking lot and people think i'm a hotwiring master.

[toyotaspeed90]

check your negative cables..... toyotas are very particular about their grounding systems.... if the starter worked fine and the car died (with dead battery and alternator) that tells me 2 things...... very highly unlikely that your starter and alternator died at the same time.... 2nd is that you removed the cables.... make sure your ground is good and tight (and that you cleaned off the grease/oil from the factory on the negative lead)....

I have had many a Toyota's just "click" until I tightened or replaced the negative cable. (cheap and easy way to check is to run a jumper cable from the negative of the battery to somewhere metallic close to the starter).