'99 Prism,LSi won't start until third try. do I need a starter?

[morgan99]

My 99 Prism , LSI has 84,000 miles . I just replaced the battery with a Sears Die Hard Gold. When I turn the key to start the engine I get NOTHING... not a click or grinding sound. Nothing! I have just kept trying and it has started. This began about a week ago. I don't have any light on my dashboard lite after I get it started. I'm a senior citizen on a fixed income I can't afford to get ripped off. It has been suggested that I need a new starter but wouldn't it make a sound of some kind if that were the case?

[popeye08]

Make sure the nuts fix the cable to the battery are tight.

Originally Posted by morgan99

My 99 Prism , LSI has 84,000 miles . I just replaced the battery with a Sears Die Hard Gold. When I turn the key to start the engine I get NOTHING... not a click or grinding sound. Nothing! I have just kept trying and it has started. This began about a week ago. I don't have any light on my dashboard lite after I get it started. I'm a senior citizen on a fixed income I can't afford to get ripped off. It has been suggested that I need a new starter but wouldn't it make a sound of some kind if that were the case?

[johnholl]

Originally Posted by morgan99

My 99 Prism , LSI has 84,000 miles . I just replaced the battery with a Sears Die Hard Gold. When I turn the key to start the engine I get NOTHING... not a click or grinding sound. Nothing! I have just kept trying and it has started. This began about a week ago. I don't have any light on my dashboard lite after I get it started. I'm a senior citizen on a fixed income I can't afford to get ripped off. It has been suggested that I need a new starter but wouldn't it make a sound of some kind if that were the case?

Not necessarily. My 99 made no sound..just very intermittent. 2-ways to do this you either need to replace the contact points within the starter, I'm told to can get the parts at a Toyota dealer. Or get a new or used starter.

I replaced my starter with one at the junkyard for $30.00..I did all the work...wasn't fun. But you can get the parts or a used starter and have your mechanic do the work...starter comes out form the bottom BTW.

[morgan99]

Thanks , Sounds like good advice.