starter perhaps

[slothman]

I have a 2000 celica. It was having issues where I would have to turn the key several times for it to start, but it would always start within a couple of minutes.

I checked the battery, and corrosion had eaten away at the terminals (the part that attaches the big electrical cord to the battery; I'm not a car person). I replaced those, and the mechanic told me the battery was marginal but should be fine. The next day it took about 5 minutes to get the engine to start.

I took it to the toyota dealership repair shop naively assuming they would at least be able to properly diagnose the problem. They said it was just the battery, so i let them overcharge me for replacing it to appease them.

I still have the same issues starting it. A more car-knowledgeable co-worker said it could be the starter contacts since it sometimes starts fine but sometimes takes awhile - apparently he had that problem with a different car at on point.

Is this feasible? What else could it be?

[new echo owner]

When you are having problem starting what does it do? Won't turn the engine over? Turn the engine over but won't start? Or?

N.E.O.

[slothman]

It varies. Once the enginge turns over it starts. Sometimes it is just a little weak click when i turn the key, other times it feels like it is going to turn but doesn't. I've found that when its having trouble i can get it to start by turning the several times in succession without any pause between turns.

[new echo owner]

It does sound like the starter contacts are the cause of your problem. Pull the starter out, and inspect the contacts, and make sure the plunger is moving freely when you reassemble it.

N.E.O.

[Doctor J]

If starter solenoid contacts will be bad the starter would make loud single click; no sound at all can either mean open circuit in starter control circuit [possible dirty neutral start switch] or defective starter brushes[the pull in coil in the starter wired in series with starter armature]. The weak click can come from circuit opening relay.
To test the starter, get:
A] Test light with 3.4 W 12 v bulb;

B] Remote starter switch

PUT selector IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY PARKING BRAKE [STICK SHIFT] OR SELECT PARK [A/T]
Unclip thin wire from the starter solenoid [IGN] connector.
Touch it with test light.
Have assistant turn the key to start:
If light is off, the neutral start switch is defective or out of adjustment.
If light is on, probe the short insulated thick wire from SOLENOID to Starter motor itself [on the opposite side]
Install the thin [ign] wire back. Turn the key to start.
If light is bright, but no click, no crank is present the brushes are defective and starter motor needs to be replaced.
If light is off, attach remote starter switch [one end to battery, other end to the [ign] terminal of the starter.
Push the switch in.
If starter works, install the relay [see sticky tread for second gen. Camry]