96 Corolla Starting Problem

First thing in the morning when I start my corolla, it doesn't start. It doesn't turn over. It's as if the battery is dead but the battery is good (even though it's six years old). Now when I turn the key a few more times, the car will start. This usually only happens when the engine is cold.

Anyone have any ideas what could be wrong? Thanks

Thanks Brian. Now before I begin messing with the starter, is there any possibility that it could be the battery? When I turn the key to start, the dome lite does not dim at all. But my battery is a little over 6 years old. I've always cleaned the battery every time I change the oil; the water in it is always good.

A car load of thanks to you.

My car would always fail to start on the first try, not even turn over when it was cold. I changed the battery and put in a new starter, but it still happened. Only after I changed the alternator did it go away. No indicator lights ever came on, but it was apparently just not charging the battery enough for cold mornings, otherwise it was fine.

Thanks franski64. Now I'm not sure but, if it is the altenator, how would it start after trying a few more times? I've read somewhere that an auto takes 400 amps. of power from the battery to start...?

Anyway, I'm going to have the auto parts store check both my battery and altenator. They do it for free.

I have a '95 corolla and maybe mine was a fluke, but I after putting up with it for 2 years, the alternator fixed the problem. You would think the battery or starter was the problem, but let us know.

I had both my altenator and battery checked and they are OK. So, I'll begin repairing my starter now before it gets in too bad of shape.

Thanks anyway.

You might double check your cap, rotor, and ignition coil, too. Poor spark can be intermittent, especially after the engine is warmed up then shut off. Look for cracks, worn contacts, and check the primary and secondary resistance of the coil.

If the starter engages and spins the engine consistently but doesn't start, I'd hesitate to think it was the starter. This usually means you're not getting either spark or fuel.

Along that, check your fuel pressure at the test port or after the fuel filter. Low pressure could mean a clogged fuel filter or failing fuel pump.

Just a few extra thoughts...hope this helps!

My starter isn't engaging when this proplem happens; there's no click (like a low battery) and no other sound. I just turn my key a second or third time and it starts up as usual with no hessitation.??

Sounds like the contacts in the starter are worn. Replacing the brushes & cleaning the stator contacts would probably do the trick. Sometimes it takes that second or third attempt to start to spin the stator to where it'll get electrical contact. But continually repeated attempts just put added stress on the battery & alternator, etc. Repair or replace. Good luck!

Thanks friends, for all the advice. Somewhere on this forum I read that the starter is very difficult to remove on corollas but will only cost me like 12 dollars (for the parts) to repair myself. So, I'm wondering whether to do it myself or not. The dealer will charge me a hundred or so to do it I guess.

If the engine is a 5s-fe, which I believe it to be, the starter should be on the right side of the engine when standing in front of the car. It is pretty clearly seen below where the upper radiator hose goes into the engine block. I'm not sure in actuality, but it sure looks easy to remove (knock on wood).

Read this link

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=645352

I was finally able to fix my starting problem in a way that may be only temporary (a few weeks) or permanently by just removing the two electrical connections next to the starter and screwing them back on (both 12mm). I wanted to go all the way and remove the starter too but I realized I needed more tools to complete the job in one day so I put everything back together from where I left off (the two electrical connections to the starter) and was going to wait till the following week. I haven't had any more problems with the corolla starting. It even had problems starting three times the day before I began the repair!

Anyway, I'll just have to give it a "wait and see" a few weeks or months for the problem to reappear.

lol I wonder if it was just a bad/dirty connection at the 2 pin connector at the starter. well GL anyways