Ignition problems

Hi All,

I wonder if there is someone out there that can recognises a problem
I'm having with my 1992 Toyota Carina E XL 1.6.

The problem is that occasionally the car doesn't start. On turning the
ignition key nothing happens. The electrics are OK (the dashboard
indicators light up and the radio etc works) but the starter motor
doesn't even try to turn. The odd thing is that if you leave the car
for 15 minutes or so everything is fine. Other than this intermittent
problem the car is extremely reliable and a nice drive. The battery
was recently replaced & the car has quite a low millage for its age.

I bought the car from my mum who said this happened a few times to her
(IIRC 3 times in 4? years). However, for me it's happened a few times
in less than 6 months. Possibly because I rarely use it, whereas my
mum drove it almost daily.

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!

--
Paul

"Paul" <paulroberthill@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1122068057.776320.321600@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi All,
>
> I wonder if there is someone out there that can recognises a problem
> I'm having with my 1992 Toyota Carina E XL 1.6.
>
> The problem is that occasionally the car doesn't start. On turning the
> ignition key nothing happens. The electrics are OK (the dashboard
> indicators light up and the radio etc works) but the starter motor
> doesn't even try to turn. The odd thing is that if you leave the car
> for 15 minutes or so everything is fine. Other than this intermittent
> problem the car is extremely reliable and a nice drive. The battery
> was recently replaced & the car has quite a low millage for its age.
>
> I bought the car from my mum who said this happened a few times to her
> (IIRC 3 times in 4? years). However, for me it's happened a few times
> in less than 6 months. Possibly because I rarely use it, whereas my
> mum drove it almost daily.
>
> Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!
>
> --
> Paul
>[/color]

If the car has an automatic transmission ("gearbox"), try shifting the
transmission to neutral and see if it starts. If it does, the neutral
safety switch is the cause.

If the car has a manual transmission, there should be a barrel switch on the
clutch pedal - you will have to crawl under the dashboard to see it. Adjust
it about 2 turns and see if that makes a difference.

If those simple things are not the cause, the starter relay contacts may be
worn or corroded. A Toyota dealer or auto parts store may be able to get
you the contacts and/or install them for you.

If that is still not the cause, someone knowledgeable about starting systems
will have to diagnose with a multi-meter.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

On 22 Jul 2005 14:34:17 -0700, "Paul" <paulroberthill@gmail.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>Hi All,
>
>I wonder if there is someone out there that can recognises a problem
>I'm having with my 1992 Toyota Carina E XL 1.6.
>
>The problem is that occasionally the car doesn't start. On turning the
>ignition key nothing happens. The electrics are OK (the dashboard
>indicators light up and the radio etc works) but the starter motor
>doesn't even try to turn. The odd thing is that if you leave the car
>for 15 minutes or so everything is fine. Other than this intermittent
>problem the car is extremely reliable and a nice drive. The battery
>was recently replaced & the car has quite a low millage for its age.
>
>I bought the car from my mum who said this happened a few times to her
>(IIRC 3 times in 4? years). However, for me it's happened a few times
>in less than 6 months. Possibly because I rarely use it, whereas my
>mum drove it almost daily.
>
>Any help or thoughts would be appreciated![/color]

Sounds like the 'points' in the starter. Common problem with Toyotas.

You can get the set and replace them very cheaply.


--

Scott in Florida

"Paul" <paulroberthill@gmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Hi All,
>
>I wonder if there is someone out there that can recognises a problem
>I'm having with my 1992 Toyota Carina E XL 1.6.
>
>The problem is that occasionally the car doesn't start. On turning the
>ignition key nothing happens. The electrics are OK (the dashboard
>indicators light up and the radio etc works) but the starter motor
>doesn't even try to turn. The odd thing is that if you leave the car
>for 15 minutes or so everything is fine. Other than this intermittent
>problem the car is extremely reliable and a nice drive. The battery
>was recently replaced & the car has quite a low millage for its age.
>
>I bought the car from my mum who said this happened a few times to her
>(IIRC 3 times in 4? years). However, for me it's happened a few times
>in less than 6 months. Possibly because I rarely use it, whereas my
>mum drove it almost daily.
>
>Any help or thoughts would be appreciated![/color]

Listen carefully as you turn the key to 'start', if you hear a
'click' (under the hood) each time you do this but the starter
doesn't engage then it's likely the heavy contacts in the starter
solenoid (sometimes integral with the starter).

If there's no click then select 'neutral' (auto trans) and try
again. If you have a manual trans with which you need to step on
the clutch during starting then it might be that safety switch
(try stepping hard on the clutch)
--


-Gord.

"I'm trying to get as old as I can,
and it must be working 'cause I'm
the oldest now that I've ever been"