Is the starter dying? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dx-r · 02-17-2004, 12:32 PM

The Corolla is an 1989 coupe (AE92) with a 4AF carb engine. In the morning when i try to start it, It would crank for a split second then nothing happens. I would have to do it a couple of times then it would start. I would hear a "click" everytime i turn the key. Could it be the starter motor?

boroEF · 02-17-2004, 12:48 PM

starter=kaplut.

time to rebuild! can tire sells rebuild kits for cheap(20-30 bucks) or u can get another starter from the junkers

|PuNiSh3R| · 02-17-2004, 12:58 PM

check your ground wires on the manifold to body.. and this only happens in the morning when it's cold or what?

dx-r · 02-17-2004, 05:07 PM

It usually happens in the morning. Before it would happen only once then would start right up on the 2nd try but now it's taking 3-4 tries to get it going. Do you think i don't have much time??

***Tercel GTS*** · 02-17-2004, 07:00 PM

about another week or two

|PuNiSh3R| · 02-17-2004, 07:15 PM

Like I said.. check your ground wires.. Mine were pretty shot.. and sometimes I would turn the key over n nothing would happen for like a second or 2.. then it would start to crank. Now that I went ahead n made up some new ground wires (most important is the passanger side wheel well to the intake manifold, this is on my 4AF) it cranks over instantly like it should.. and if I had to crank for a long time.. as in if I didn't pull carb choke.. the ground wire would start to smoke.. it would get so hot the insulation was melting off.

dx-r · 02-18-2004, 01:00 AM

My problem is that when I turn the key the starter would click immediately and the motor would crank for a slit second then nothing happens.

I'm suspecting it's the starter but it couldn't hurt to check out the ground wires.

|PuNiSh3R| · 02-18-2004, 01:07 AM

Well get it checked out! I guess it might be the starter croaking. Not your battery... is it?

dx-r · 02-18-2004, 01:13 AM

The battery is fine. I have an Autometer voltmeter installed and it registers 14 volts.

pdrover · 02-18-2004, 04:19 AM

Ok, sounds *exactly* like the problem that I've just fixed. I started a thread with almost exactly the same question (includes photos of my repair).

http://www.toyotanation.com/showthre...703&forumid=16

It turned out to be (majorly) worn starter contacts. With a little searching I came upon this article:

http://www.toyotanation.com/showthre...arter+contacts

I did the job myself, it took me about 3 hours and it cost me less that $10 (new contacts).

Paul.

dx-r · 02-19-2004, 02:07 AM

pdrover - thanks for the info.

I'm gonna try replacing the conacts to see if that solves the problem.

Tercel GTS - I pm'ed you about the contacts.

pdrover · 02-19-2004, 03:07 AM

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
Paul.