Re: 93 Corolla IGNITION Switch Replacement

I was able to jump start the 93 Corolla twice using my 91 Camry. The
engine continued to run until I had shut it down. The engine would
not restart . The battery was last replaced in DEC 2001; a Toyota
product.

Had a DieHard installed at local Sears today, who also (AFAIK) did a
system checkout after the new battery was installed.

When attempting to start engine to leave the Sears shop, engine would
not start. Mechanic said that he noticed that problem when moving car
from one bay to another. (Apparently, the old battery took some
recharge while it was driven about ten miles from home to Sears shop.)

Thus, I am now faced with the suspicion that the ignition switch is
failing. The Alternator was also replaced in 2001 DEC, and shortly
thereafter the starter motor was replaced (MAY 2002).

Ray: Is there a simple method to diagnose the ignition switch
contacts? Is a relay involved also?

Regards,
de Vince

On Mon, 8 Jan 2007 17:36:35 -0600, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Vince" <NoSPAM2THISHAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:vie5q2d3h4ondthl8isae5t7vvc3emr6qh@4ax.com...[color=green]
>>
>> Symptoms of an intermittent ignition switch presently exist on my
>> wife's car. The battery, which was five year old TOYOTA product, was
>> just replaced.
>>
>> Is an iginition switch replacement a DIY task ?
>> What special tools are required?
>>
>> Regards,
>> de Vince[/color]
>
>What symptoms of an intermittent ignition switch exist on your wife's car?
>If the car has an intermittent no-start condition, then I would check the
>contacts in the starter solenoid before I replaced the ignition switch.
>
>Whether ignition switch replacement is a DIY task of not depends on the
>skill level of the DIY-er. You should be able to change it with a Phillips
>screwdriver and 10 mm socket wrench.[/color]

"Vince" <NoSPAM2THISHAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:0am5q25hbrov7odeohe40jnrckoekkhnid@4ax.com...[color=blue]
>
> I was able to jump start the 93 Corolla twice using my 91 Camry. The
> engine continued to run until I had shut it down. The engine would
> not restart . The battery was last replaced in DEC 2001; a Toyota
> product.
>
> Had a DieHard installed at local Sears today, who also (AFAIK) did a
> system checkout after the new battery was installed.
>
> When attempting to start engine to leave the Sears shop, engine would
> not start. Mechanic said that he noticed that problem when moving car
> from one bay to another. (Apparently, the old battery took some
> recharge while it was driven about ten miles from home to Sears shop.)
>
> Thus, I am now faced with the suspicion that the ignition switch is
> failing. The Alternator was also replaced in 2001 DEC, and shortly
> thereafter the starter motor was replaced (MAY 2002).
>
> Ray: Is there a simple method to diagnose the ignition switch
> contacts? Is a relay involved also?
>
> Regards,
> de Vince[/color]

The symptoms you are describing do not sound like ignition switch contacts,
and I have seen very few ignition switches go bad in Toyotas. A more common
problem is worn starter solenoid contacts, and I would check them before I
started messing with the ignition switch contacts. Here is a link that
shows symptoms, diagnosis, and repair:
[url]http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml[/url] The model is
different but the principles are the same.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Indeed, it was a starter motor malfunction.

I am in no condition to be working under a vehicle. A rebuilt
installed yesterday. Hopefully, this one will last more than five
years !

Today, my wife panicked, thinking that the car would not start. A
jiggle on the steering wheel enabled me to turn the ignition key to
the ON position.

Thanks for your inputs.

Regards,
de Vince


On Tue, 9 Jan 2007 00:07:09 -0600, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Vince" <NoSPAM2THISHAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:0am5q25hbrov7odeohe40jnrckoekkhnid@4ax.com...[color=green]
>>
>> I was able to jump start the 93 Corolla twice using my 91 Camry. The
>> engine continued to run until I had shut it down. The engine would
>> not restart . The battery was last replaced in DEC 2001; a Toyota
>> product.
>>
>> Had a DieHard installed at local Sears today, who also (AFAIK) did a
>> system checkout after the new battery was installed.
>>
>> When attempting to start engine to leave the Sears shop, engine would
>> not start. Mechanic said that he noticed that problem when moving car
>> from one bay to another. (Apparently, the old battery took some
>> recharge while it was driven about ten miles from home to Sears shop.)
>>
>> Thus, I am now faced with the suspicion that the ignition switch is
>> failing. The Alternator was also replaced in 2001 DEC, and shortly
>> thereafter the starter motor was replaced (MAY 2002).
>>
>> Ray: Is there a simple method to diagnose the ignition switch
>> contacts? Is a relay involved also?
>>
>> Regards,
>> de Vince[/color]
>
>The symptoms you are describing do not sound like ignition switch contacts,
>and I have seen very few ignition switches go bad in Toyotas. A more common
>problem is worn starter solenoid contacts, and I would check them before I
>started messing with the ignition switch contacts. Here is a link that
>shows symptoms, diagnosis, and repair:
>[url]http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml[/url] The model is
>different but the principles are the same.[/color]

"Vince" <NoSPAM2THISHAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:s6qiq2lu33bsrnklffh4ph3866lbcm9nja@4ax.com...[color=blue]
>
> Indeed, it was a starter motor malfunction.
>
> I am in no condition to be working under a vehicle. A rebuilt
> installed yesterday. Hopefully, this one will last more than five
> years !
>
> Today, my wife panicked, thinking that the car would not start. A
> jiggle on the steering wheel enabled me to turn the ignition key to
> the ON position.
>
> Thanks for your inputs.
>
> Regards,
> de Vince[/color]

You're welcome! If the remanufactured starter was from a Toyota dealer, it
should last a pretty long time.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Vince" <NoSPAM2THISHAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:6o8jq2dbqlg659cio4643e2qi6bjhgtl3e@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> Ray:
>
> I am not clear on terminology. Is there any distinction between
> remanufactured and rebuilt? Please define these terms for me.[/color]

In a remanufactured starter from Toyota, only the outer case is re-used.
Some rebuilders replace only bad parts or wear parts like brushes, slip
rings, and bearings.
[color=blue]
>
> The unit that was being replaced yesterday was from a Toyota
> dealership, and it was installed during May 2002. That unit was
> referred to as being a "rebuilt" unit at that time.
>
> The shop's original price quote included non-Toyota product. They
> originally quoted us$385 which includes us$85 for labor. I was
> quoted us$206 minus $30 core discount, before sales tax, for over the
> counter parts from a local Toyota dealership. Thus, the shop was
> directed to use a Toyota product. ( Total cost to me was us$287. )
>
> To me, five years is not a pretty long time !
>[/color]

Five years is not a long time to me either. A fairly common problem with
Toyota starters is worn solenoid contacts. The solenoid comes with the
starter, so replacing the starter with a remanufactured one from Toyota
would get you a new solenoid. The "guts" of the starter may be OK and just
the contacts on the solenoid may be bad. If an independent shop is doing
the repair work for you, ask them if they would check the solenoid contacts
and replace just the contacts if necessary. Replacement contacts are
available for under $30, and the process probably doubles the labor time
over just removing the old starter and installing a new one. So, double
your labor charge ($85 x 2 = $170), plus $30 for parts, and you would be out
the door for around $200. If you did the work yourself, you would be out
the door for around $30 and a couple of hours labor.

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

I also inquired from the Toyota Parts guy about a repair kit. He
quoted me us$99 for a kit that included the contacts, so I did not go
down that path. For all I know the shop did a repair of the original
and charged me for a rebuilt unit replacement.

Thanks for info.

On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 22:36:01 -0600, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Vince" <NoSPAM2THISHAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:6o8jq2dbqlg659cio4643e2qi6bjhgtl3e@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> Ray:
>>
>> I am not clear on terminology. Is there any distinction between
>> remanufactured and rebuilt? Please define these terms for me.[/color]
>
>In a remanufactured starter from Toyota, only the outer case is re-used.
>Some rebuilders replace only bad parts or wear parts like brushes, slip
>rings, and bearings.
>[color=green]
>>
>> The unit that was being replaced yesterday was from a Toyota
>> dealership, and it was installed during May 2002. That unit was
>> referred to as being a "rebuilt" unit at that time.
>>
>> The shop's original price quote included non-Toyota product. They
>> originally quoted us$385 which includes us$85 for labor. I was
>> quoted us$206 minus $30 core discount, before sales tax, for over the
>> counter parts from a local Toyota dealership. Thus, the shop was
>> directed to use a Toyota product. ( Total cost to me was us$287. )
>>
>> To me, five years is not a pretty long time !
>>[/color]
>
>Five years is not a long time to me either. A fairly common problem with
>Toyota starters is worn solenoid contacts. The solenoid comes with the
>starter, so replacing the starter with a remanufactured one from Toyota
>would get you a new solenoid. The "guts" of the starter may be OK and just
>the contacts on the solenoid may be bad. If an independent shop is doing
>the repair work for you, ask them if they would check the solenoid contacts
>and replace just the contacts if necessary. Replacement contacts are
>available for under $30, and the process probably doubles the labor time
>over just removing the old starter and installing a new one. So, double
>your labor charge ($85 x 2 = $170), plus $30 for parts, and you would be out
>the door for around $200. If you did the work yourself, you would be out
>the door for around $30 and a couple of hours labor.[/color]