Will not start--clicking

[Alaina]

I bought this 1997 Toyota Corolla about a year ago at 62,000 miles and it has about 92,000 now. Obviously I have no idea what kind of maintenance was done to the car before I had it . I figure it is due for spark plugs which I bought today and my dad said I could meet him at his house in the morning to change them.

The problem is that I was wondering if this is likely the reason my car may or may not start on the first try. It clicks but nothing else happens. When it is running and idleing, it seems to hesitate a bit and kinda jump when it does that. Do ya think the spark plugs will do it or do I have a more serious problem? I want to go ahead tonight and write out my bills before I go to bed--And I would get a better night's sleep if I knew that the spark plugs where most likely going to do the trick.

PLEASE HELP!!

[bcopeland]

That clicking sound usually indicates the starter is bad. More precisely, the clicking sound is the starter solenoid extending. The starter motor then should make a vroom sound. It takles both the click and the vroom to start a motor. Sounds like the starter needs to be checked. Or the battery could be low enough on power to cause the problem. Nothing significant - but spark plugs won't fix that! You are right though, on a purchase of used car, change the oil, spark plugs, tranmission fluid, air filters, etc.

[frankr]

Originally Posted by bcopeland

That clicking sound usually indicates the starter is bad. More precisely, the clicking sound is the starter solenoid extending. The starter motor then should make a vroom sound. It takles both the click and the vroom to start a motor. Sounds like the starter needs to be checked. Or the battery could be low enough on power to cause the problem. Nothing significant - but spark plugs won't fix that! You are right though, on a purchase of used car, change the oil, spark plugs, tranmission fluid, air filters, etc.

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I am having the same problem with my 1999 Toyota Corolla. It just started doing it. I bought it new, and I have had no other problems with it. So far, I have changed my battery, changed my starter (twice thinking I was sold a defective starter), and tested my alternator. I am still having this intermittant issue. (clicking when I try to start the engine. It starts up some times with no problems, but other times I just get the click)

Do you happen to have any other ideas on this? I took my third starter to a automotive shop and they tested it as good. So I put it back in the car yesterday (11/10/04), and I don't trust using the car because I don't want to get stranded. Thanks!

[ToyotaTech]

I replaced starter contacts on corollas for years but frankr u may have a problem with negative or positive battery cable have a high resistance in the wire. If a engine just clicks when I check for 12volts at the starter itself (this is hard on a corolla because the starter is behide the intake ) if u don't have 12volts at the starter then voltage is being dropped along the wire somewhere. Most of the time is at the terminal on the battery post , clean and tighten the post this my help u

[frankr]

Thanks, ToyotaTech. I can get to the starter power feed from under the car. I will see if I get the 12 volts at the starter, and see where I can go from there.

I appreciate your help.

[womparing]

Originally Posted by ToyotaTech

I replaced starter contacts on corollas for years but frankr u may have a problem with negative or positive battery cable have a high resistance in the wire. If a engine just clicks when I check for 12volts at the starter itself (this is hard on a corolla because the starter is behide the intake ) if u don't have 12volts at the starter then voltage is being dropped along the wire somewhere. Most of the time is at the terminal on the battery post , clean and tighten the post this my help u

Hi my 1989 seca just started a high pitch whinning which only stopped whrn disconnected the battery. I presume a new starter motor is needed or is there somethng else it could be? Cheers

[bcopeland]

You are right Toyotatech. I forgot to mention that. I would first check the battery terminals for signs of corrosion then check the starter.