Starter Issue

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Hey Everybody:

I tried searching, but then again it's a quick search while the boss is not watching so I might've missed it (I'm at work, BTW... A new job that I started at last Wednesday)...

This morning when I tried to start the car, I turned the key once, and even though I held it for a little over a second, nothing would happen in under the hood. No clicks, nothing. Then when I released the key and tried again, it started like normal.

I don't know if this has anything to do with the problem, but I was cleaning the inside of the car the night before for about 20 minutes with both interior lights on and the trunk open, and I've been using the valet key (the only spare key that I can find), and it's been used without incident for the past week (my normal keys slipped out of my pocket in a friend's car).

Thanks for your help in advance!

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

ANY Replies?? It hasn't happened since but it's better safe than sorry for me, please help!

[corlon]

probably a dead segment in your starter. same thing happened to me. i took it apart twice cleaned and lubed it, but in the end had to have it rebuilt. i took it off the car (V6) and had it fixed for $40.00 at a local shop. decent new ones were over $150.00 around here.

[soccerfan]

Starter Contacts.

About $20 and an hour under the hood.

[unbalancedwood]

Have you tried tapping the starter with an extension & sledge?

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

^I almost thought that was a prank reply until I Googled it.

OK, I'll try rebuilding it after I get my first paycheck (I'm totally out of money right now)... Thanks everyone!

[unbalancedwood]

When I bought my car with 77,000miles on it, it already had a 'Toyota Re manufactured' (red sticker on the starter)...luckly it looks like its in a pretty easy location to get to...

[ozone]

My Corolla does this and a wrecked Solara I bought as a donor car. On the Corolla, I have tried a lot of things and I believe, like the others have said here, that it is the starter itself, but that does not mean it's your problem. One other thing you can try is replacing or at least cleaning the cable that goes from the battery to the starter. It is a direct connection and needs to be a big one since the starter draws a lot of power. I would try that first before replacing the starter.

They do make brand new starters for these cars. I found some online and they are about $160.00. Or you can get a rebuilt one from the stealership for twice that.

Good luck.