Sticky Solenoid Symptoms? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

smharr4 · 11-09-2006, 04:10 PM

I have a 1997 Toyota Corolla CE with a 1.4 I4 engine that is refusing to start.

The battery is good (multimeter tested), and I can hear it turning the starter (or at least it's a loud rattle like the starter is turning), but there is no cranking and no starting

Is this a sticky solenoid, or something else?

retiredat44 · 11-09-2006, 04:22 PM

Yes, sounds like it..

Hemi3TC · 11-09-2006, 04:39 PM

A multimeter test of a battery does not mean the battery is good. The battery has to be tested under load to determine if it is really any good. Turn on the headlights then measure the battery terminal voltage is better than nothing.

h3tc

smharr4 · 11-09-2006, 05:51 PM

I did test the battery while under load, the DMM reported 11.94V.

Is there a procedure for replacing the starter solenoid, and is it a DIY job?

91gtssilvertop · 11-09-2006, 08:37 PM

Loud rattle? Do you mean a loud repetitive clicking?
What's the battery voltage while trying to crank?

smharr4 · 11-11-2006, 02:56 PM

Yes, it's a loud, fast, repeating clicking noise.

Battery voltage is 11.89V when trying to crank.

90 GP · 11-11-2006, 06:04 PM

Did you try removing battery cable terminals and clean both the cable ends and battery posts with a wire brush?What about trying to jump start it with another vehicle? If battery doesn't have enough charge under load or a poor cable connection will make a loud clicking sound while trying to start.

smharr4 · 11-11-2006, 06:12 PM

Jumpstarting the car did get it working, I thought it was just coincidence.

The battery is almost 4 years old, should I just get a new battery?

91gtssilvertop · 11-11-2006, 09:57 PM

Check voltage @ starter on both the main power cable and the start wire while cranking. Is it the same as @ the battery? If so check your starter ground and battery ground. If they're ok replace the starter. if low voltage @ either wire you'll have to check for poor connections or a bad wire.
it'll start when you jump because you're starting off with higher voltage. 14.5 from the jumper car as opposed to 12.5 or less from your battery.

retiredat44 · 11-12-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smharr4

Jumpstarting the car did get it working, I thought it was just coincidence.

The battery is almost 4 years old, should I just get a new battery?

have the battery checked,,..

also any battery on year 4 is due to be replaced.. period..

91gtssilvertop · 11-12-2006, 12:19 AM

if problem was battery, he would not have 11.89 volts during crank.

smharr4 · 11-12-2006, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91gtssilvertop

Check voltage @ starter on both the main power cable and the start wire while cranking.

Hate to say this, but I'll need a bit more info.

Where is the starter on this car, and which cable would be which? I'm used to working on my Mercedes, I'm not as familiar with my Corolla as I should be.