Starter slipping? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jarl · 05-08-2010, 05:04 AM

My friend has a 1989 toyota corolla. It has a strong battery and turns over well but occasionally won't start. Most online sources I've found say the starter is located passenger side. I had the starter down as the thing on the driver side which is towards the driver and lower down as you look at the engine with the bonnet open though that may be the alternator. Where is it? The symptoms are that the starter will turn over but the engine won't- if there's a belt connecting the starter to the engine then that'd explain the symptoms perfectly (slipping belt). If the starter is driver side then there's a belt which can be replaced and will hopefully sort the problem out. However, if that's the alternator then I'm back to square 1...

90 GP · 05-08-2010, 07:44 AM

The most common cause of intermittent starter (turn key and nothing but a click heard) is the solenoid terminals within starter going bad. Here is a link for Toy trucks (cars similar setup) on how to replace. If the starter is turning but not engine could be starter gear not engaging teeth on flywheel or broken flywheel teeth. If starter cranks but engine won't start check for problems with fuel system,ignition system . Try spraying a shot of starting fluid into carb/throttle body to see if it starts right up if so you have fuel delivery problems. Try replacing spark plugs to eliminate ignition system problems.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...eresTheStarter

Flashmn · 05-08-2010, 09:57 AM

Starters dont slip and staters dont have belts to the engine. That would be the alternator.

jarl · 05-10-2010, 03:18 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I've identified the starter and given her a hammer and a piece of wood as a temporary fix (

) which seems to work, for now.

Just to explain the problem better, the starter motor will turn over and it will sound like it's outputting a lot of torque, but there will be nothing from the engine. After a while (5, 10 seconds), if you're lucky, the engine will start to turn over, slowly at first but then quicker until it fires. If it's in a starting mood then the engine will turn over twice, if that, and then catch.
When it's not starting, having the car in gear and trying to start the engine will make the car jerk, which I think rules out damaged flywheel or starter teeth, but then take it out of gear and the engine won't turn over. (really confusing!) Next time it's not starting I'm going to pull a spark plug and see if the engine is turning over or not.

If the contacts are worn in the plunger, as described in the link above, then would the starter turn over? I have a feeling the starter solenoid is at fault (more specifically, the pull in or hold in coil). Does anyone have any experience replacing solenoids?

Thanks again.

65Pontiac · 05-10-2010, 10:48 PM

mine does this once or twice during the colder months. i just hold the key til it fires. usually takes a little. i had the same problem on a 88 LC. the LC did it when it was hot sometimes also but mostly when it was cold out. i replaced the starter on it and never had it happen again.

also check the wire to the starter make sure its tight and not lose. if i was you just replace the starter. even if it isnt the starter thats one less thing to worry about in the near future

Evo_lucian · 05-11-2010, 10:26 AM

i had similar situation before. sometimes when the key was turned i use to just hear a click but the engine wont make any sound, use ti just swing the key a couple more times then it would start. Later on the problem got worse, replaced the starter with one from a 20v (mounts on intake side of motor) and it worked fine for a while then on occasions the problem returned till my friend hooked up a relay to it and haven't had a problem since. It does swing the engine slow sometimes but i suspect that's the battery.