HELP needed ty everyone!=D

[whitecat]

Hey everyone,
I have a 95 Toyota Corolla, theseaday i've been experiencing some problems starting the car! When i turn the key, there is some clicking sound and have to try about 2-3 times to get the car to start. I've taken it to the garage and the people there was telling to change the starter for $500 bucks so i decided to try fix myself. I was also wondering if the batt. isnt charged enough(pretty New batt, used for about 3 months no problem)! Im just wondering if any of you guys have any ideas on how to fix this problem.
thx everyone

[thespud]

Sounds like the Solonoid in the starter is playing up. Have you had any experiance rebuilding electrical components? If not, take it to an Auto Electrician and have it rebuilt. Much cheaper than replacing the whole thing...

[Tercel GTS]

DIY starter repair thread in hardcore tech stickies

[whitecat]

thx for the info. , hope i can fix it!

[REN69]

If you can't just take it to a rebuilder, they should have you out of there for about $100

[fistofmeat]

is there a single click in the lock cylinder when you turn the key, or is the click from deeper in the car.

[Flashmn]

Might be the lock cyl. not the actual starter... then again, hard to say as I'm not there.

[whitecat]

I think the click was from deeper in the car, im gonna get someone to rebuild soon but any ideas if its the battery isnt charged enough since i havent ran far distance after i bought my batt about 3-5 months ago.
thx again

[whitecat]

Forgot to say~:

In the mornings when i havent drove to work, the car needs several times to start. After when its driven for a while, its pretty much a one-time start so this confuses me if its the problem from the battery or the starter. I think this also have to do with the temperature of the engine.....no idea.Now im thinking if i should get someone to rebuild the starter...

[whitecat]

anybody?

[Ukrainian102]

Originally Posted by whitecat

Forgot to say~:

In the mornings when i havent drove to work, the car needs several times to start. After when its driven for a while, its pretty much a one-time start so this confuses me if its the problem from the battery or the starter. I think this also have to do with the temperature of the engine.....no idea.Now im thinking if i should get someone to rebuild the starter...

I had the same problem. It got worse and worse though. At first it only was one click and then it started, and once warm would start normally. Then I had to go through two or three clicks before it started. The last time before I fixed it I had to turn the key like 10-15 times before the car would start.

Anyway I took out the starter, changed the contacts, and it works perfectly now. Taking out the starter is the hardest part. It's a bitch to maneuver it out of the car once you get it loose. Once the starter is out, however, the rest is pretty easy. It's just two little brass contacts. Keep in mind I have no experience repairing cars at all; in fact that's probably the most serious repair I've done on my car myself. Don't pay $500 for a new starter.

[whitecat]

ok, ty i'll get someone to look over the contacts.
Just curious, do you know what the contacts do? Does the contacts rub together to create flame or something to start the car?

[rated_w]

no electricity passes through these contacts which is then used to turn the engine over from what I know

If the contacts are dirty, covered with rust, etc, it can interfere with a good connection to the power source.

[whitecat]

gotcha =D

Can someone give me a pic of the contacts, that would be appricatied!