99 - wont start/turnover

[speedrik]

99 corolla. Starter is practically new. Good battery. Drove it this am, started and drove fine. Car has always fired right up without hesitation. Alternator tested within last year when new starter was installed.

Went to leave, turn the key - nothing. All lights, radio, etc work. Check for loose cables, they were good. Tired turning the key and jiggle the shift lever at the same time. Cant hear anything from inside the car, but when took the lid off fuse box with someone else turning the key, could hear a click from what I think is one of the relays as well as a click around the top and middle of the engine. One "fuse " was marked starter relay which was purple, one next to it was brown, and that is where it sounded lick the click was coming from.

any thoughts on what the issue may be? appreciate it.

[2002corolla]

did the wire coming from the ignition switch come off the starter? maybe the neutral/safty switch is bad or misadjusted

[jdmccright]

Ayup, jiggle the shifter (for a auto tranny) or check the switch on the clutch (manuals). An alternate solution might be the starter brushes are worn and landed in a dead spot. With someone turning the key, tap the starter's case with the end of a screwdriver or socket wrench (watch for moving engine parts!). Starter rebuilds to replace worn contacts are an easy and cheap fix...check the forum stickies. Good luck!

[speedrik]

Thanks - it was a loose wire to the starter. I was able mash my hand in there and push on the connection and fired right up.

[speedrik]

Same wire came loose again the other day. Again, able to feel around and find it (cant see it). Is there a clip or some type of holding mechanism to hold to the terminal that may be broke? odd this continues to happen and never know when and it is my 16 yr old daughter car, so would like to have reliable starting ability. thx

[jdmccright]

Should be a connection that is held by a nut. It is possible that the connection is corroded and needs to be cleaned or the cable itself has corroded or otherwise weakened from fatigue. A fresh connector and a wire brushing of the starter terminal should restore good electrical contact.

[GSS123]

On a 96 starter it's a small plastic clip type connection.