Suddenly not-starting!

HELP

:banghead:

Hi all

I have a used 94 Toyota Celica. I bought it to replace my 97 Kia Sephia which had transmission issues.

The Toyota had a pre-purchase exam & passed w/flying colors. They did a compression check, checked internal stuff, etc. Everything looked ok. The dealership I bought the car from is VERY small and offers no warranty. Because of my previous experience with Toyota, I felt comfortable buying a car w/ a clean vehicle history, a clean purchase exame, and runs clean.

A month later --

I drove the car all day today- it handled just fine. Engine sounded fine. Drove it to the restaurant for dinner, to Walmart right after, then home. Went to move car out of the driveway and... all of a sudden, it won't start!

It isn't the battery. The juice is working just fine. Lights, radio, power windows & locks, etc.

I turn the key and I get NO Sound until I get to the end of the ignition and then I get ONE SOLID click. It sounds like it is coming from the driver's side of the engine block, but I'm not sure. It is just one click and then that's it.

I got the car towed to a repair shop b/c I can't live w/o a car in my area!

My dad is voting 'electrical system' my friend is voting 'starter.' I'm voting 'whichever's cheaper.' I just graduated college and I have NO MONEY. lol.

1) What could this be?
2) How much should I expect to pay?
3) How long do typical repairs take?

I would appreciate any similar stories, experiences, and advise.

I really would love to hear from anyone about this!

Thanks you all.

Most likely a bad starter. If it happens again, give the starter a couple of gentle whacks with a wrench or small hammer and see if this solves the problem. If so, you have a bad starter.

If this turns out to be the problem, replace the contacts in the solenoid. The contacts can be bought from Toyota.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=166530&highlight=starter+contacts

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/

This is cheap. Take an afternoon if you like to drink beer.

My celica has an issue of the same sence... but mine will start most of the time, last week somtime, i went to start it and some kind of relay switch was clicking alot, so i push started it and it starts up fine now, but i still have some kind of problem with my electrical system... If i hold the key in to start it it takes me a while to find the right combination of electrical stuff to turn on, then it will start right up.... i have no idea what the problem is, i was going to take it to the toyota dealership to find out what was wrong... soo... ill update you when i get done..

I am having the same problem. Intermittently, no start, no sound, nothing. I've been trying to find a pattern, but no dice. The starter has been replaced (twice), the clutch switch is working, the battery is fully charged. Most of the time it's OK, then for no apparent reason...nothing. I'm tired of parking carefully so that I can push start it (but thank God it's manual so that I can). If anyone can help, please let us know. Thanks!

Try replacing the starter relay. Check the battery ground

yea im with Brian R., it's most deffinitly the starter. I have the same issue with my celica, but it's only happen a couple of times and wacking it solved the problem.

yeah i have the same shit sometimes but i foud it on my car....the posotive battery connector dosent connect right, it slides off the topp of the battery....and you cant see it cuz the cover on the posotive conector, i just push it down then start up the car (yes its screwed all the way on its just all gayed up)

hello,

i have had the same problem wit my 84 celica the battery cables would always slide off a lil bit i would pit it back on and then i closed the trunk and try strting it it would be off again.i just brought new terminals and i also purchased a new neg wire and i havent had that problem yet.

good luck

yeah thats whats goin on with me, everytime i close the hood it slides back up

hehe relocate it like I did, although never had the cable problem, it freed up a nice space in the fron and put a lil weight in the rear :p

thats not a bad idea, but i like all the weight upfront to keep those front tires down

yea, i guess it be a lil different for you cuz my celica is RWD =P

lol u have a st, ur speed doesnt depend on a 25 pound battery keeping ur front down

i said i like keeping weight up front, if the guy is taking out a battry who knows what else will come out, and if ur saying that just cuz its an st the battery dosent matter, look at the corolla forums, some of those guys got some fast 4afe's, ones that will blow the doors off ur 5sfe