Please help - Corolla starting problems

[manatee]

Hello,

I have a 1994 Toyota Corolla and have been having starting problems for quite some time. However, this is quite an unusual starting
problem. In a nutshell, every once in awhile my Corolla won't start. It doesn't make a clicking noise or turn over or anything. Just
dead silence. I have a small and larger jump box and sometimes I can get it started with one of them, but usually not. Here's the weird
thing. Almost every time I get a jump start from another person from their car, my car will start right up. It's almost as if it gets
just enough electricity to get it started.

Before you come up with a solution... keep in mind I have a new starter and new battery.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this and/or what the solution might be? I tried taking it to a mechanic but they said
unless the car is in a state where it is not starting it would be difficult to diagnose the problem. Wonderful!

Any help regarding this would be appreciated. Thanks!

James

[johnholl]

The neutral safety switch may be deffective [automatic trans]. Try shifting out of park and into neutral while turning the key.

The fastest way to narrow in on the problem is to make sure you have 12volts at the starter main terminal and 12 volts at the solenoid terminal [smaller plastic clip] when the key is in the start position. You have to remove the splash guard] If not, check the starter relay and the ignition switch.

My wifes car started while jumped, but not all alone. It turned out to be the starter was on its way out. It lastest another 2 months, then on morning DOA, most likely the solenoid. I think the starters on these care are a problem area, other than that they're a damn good car. I got my starter at a junk yard for $75.00

[manatee]

Originally Posted by johnholl

The neutral safety switch may be deffective [automatic trans]. Try shifting out of park and into neutral while turning the key.

The fastest way to narrow in on the problem is to make sure you have 12volts at the starter main terminal and 12 volts at the solenoid terminal [smaller plastic clip] when the key is in the start position. You have to remove the splash guard] If not, check the starter relay and the ignition switch.

My wifes car started while jumped, but not all alone. It turned out to be the starter was on its way out. It lastest another 2 months, then on morning DOA, most likely the solenoid. I think the starters on these care are a problem area, other than that they're a damn good car. I got my starter at a junk yard for $75.00

I have tried starting it while in neutral, but no luck. I haven't tried turning the ignition at the same time I shift though. Not sure if you mean to turn key at the same time. I have replaced the starter twice and both times the problem does come back. Maybe something is ruining something on my starter?

My car wouldn't start last night and wouldn't with the jump box. I walked home as I wasn't too far away and came back later at night. When I came back it started right up on its own. It does seem to do this more often when it is warmer out. Hmm...

[Brian R.]

Rebuilt starters have a real possibility of being bad out of the box, with the identical problem you had to start with. Don't rule out the starter just because it's a different one.

Check your starter relay and then see if the contacts in the starter solenoid look bright and shiney. If they don't, replace them.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=166530

[93rollaracer]

May sound dumb, but make sure everything is connected tightly to the battery. I had the same problem, and it turns out the positive wire wasn't tightened so it wouldn't start all the time.

[johnholl]

Yes, make shure your battery connections are tight. If your headlights are nice and bright chances are your starter is bad. Like I said, if you have battery voltage to the solenoid terminal at the starterwhile turning the key, your transmission switch is okay. Brian R. may be right, sometimes rebuilds aren't verry good. Besides they wanted $140.00 at Autozone, with exchange. If this junkyard starter acts up I thinks I'll try disassebling and cleaning it myself. If it can be done, that is.

[johnholl]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Rebuilt starters have a real possibility of being bad out of the box, with the identical problem you had to start with. Don't rule out the starter just because it's a different one.

Check your starter relay and then see if the contacts in the starter solenoid look bright and shiney. If they don't, replace them.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=166530

Do they have rebuild kits for these starters? That would be nice!