Car isn't starting

[Drew99GT]

In the mornings the past few days, and especially today, I go to turn the key on my 94 Corolla and nothing. Not even a click from the starter solenoid. After I cycle the ignition several times, it finally goes and fires right up. Only happens in the morning after the car has sat and cooled down. It's either got to be the starter, the ignition switch, maybe even the clutch neutral safety switch? If I pump the clutch pedal on the switch, it seems to help.

Anyone have any thoughts? I've heard starter problems occur more often when the engine/starter is hot, not cold.

Thanks

 

[Astro14]

Toyotas of that vintage were famous for starters going bad - dead spots on the armature that had exactly the symptoms you describe. You can go through the shift/neutral interlocks, jiggle keys and think it might be something besides the starter because those things randomly make a difference...

Has happened twice in the life of the 4 Runner - starter both times...

 

[Quest]

IMHO this is not so much as being "famous" but more like worn out starters, given the vintage of the vehicle (remember this: starter is also a wear-n-tear item and will become worn eventually).

You pretty much nailed it: starter, weak battery, ignition switch, safety switch (on clutch, for M/T)

Also: check and clean all the grounds.

Q.

 

[Astro14]

Has happened twice in the life of the 4 Runner - starter both times...first at 75K (when it was only 5 years old), more recently at 180K (16 years old)....and yeah, checked battery, switches and grounds, but it was the starter both times.

The 1st time it happened, on a relatively young vehicle, it didn't seem like a starter problem, more like the shift interlock or the ignition switch. The Toyota service guys - before I even finished describing what I had checked - cut me off and said "it's the starter"...which I found odd at the time...but they were right.

 

[Drew99GT]

Hmmmm, according to the paperwork from the original owner, the starter has already been replaced once. Guess I'll be putting a new starter in!

Thanks Astro.

 

[Astro14]

Not definitive analysis on my part - get it checked out...but my $$ is on the starter!

OEM part is pretty steep...might consider a good electric/rebuild shop...

 

[meep]

there will also be a relay that likely is fed by the ign sw that feeds the starter. see if there is a "starter" relay in the relay box underhood or underdash. swap it with another.

wire test light to the smallest wire on starter solenoid and see if it glows in 'start.' if yes, then bad motor. if not, then it's upstream.

as a quick check, you can take a small jumper lead and clip it to the solenoid input, and tap against the battery (+) (car in P/N). the starter will crank if it's good. there will be a spark... not a huge one, but the solenoid will pull 10 amps.

M

 

[Drew99GT]

I just took it in; I'm too tired to get under my car and wrench. Yup, it was the starter. Guess it's about an 80,000 mile part on these cars.