6G Celicas Forums

I've had a recent problem with my starter lately that keeps getting worse. My car will just click over whenever I try to start it, sometimes it takes 20 clicks to get it to fire. I was thinking my starter or the solenoid is going out? Any ideas would help.

-Matt

I had this happen to my old Nissan Sentra. It would take around 20-30 tries to get it to turn over. I ended up replacing my starter in the end. You can try to change the solenoid, but it didn't fix my problem.

low battery? try jumping it and see if that solves it. if it does its most likely a charging component or the battery itself.

+1 on the battery.
How old is it?
You can also take the car to Autozone and have them do the complete test on your battery.

Get someone to give the starter a whack with a hammer or something similar while your turning it over and if it starts you need a new starter motor! Otherwise it's more than likely a duff/expired battery!

x2 fully recharge your battery and then try it, this has happened to me a couple times

does it tickticktickticktick when you turn it over, or is it just one tick each time you turn the key.

I put my money on the starter. I had the same problem a year or so ago and the starter was the problem.

One tick each time.

And I don't believe it's the battery, because it looks pretty new, and I haven't had any issues with my charging system.

-Matt

Then go pick up a new starter. That should fix the problem

A weird thing happened. I noticed that when it was doing the clicking, I was low on gas. So, today I filled up, and now it starts no problem! This is baffling me.

-Matt

Last time that happened to me was just because of low battery...

You do not need a new starter!

The reason why the starter ticks and does not start is that the contacts of the switch that turns on your starter are worn out. Everytime you start the car, a large coil in the starter acts like a huge relay to engage the starter motor. When that switch makes, it arcs a bit - taking some of the copper with it. The reason why a fresh battery will sometimes relieve the issues is because it can provide more current to make the connection and it will overcome the high resistance from the worn out contacts.

All you need to do is remove the starter and take it to a "Proper" starter / alternator shop or you can buy these contacts (they are designed to be replaced) for under $10 and replace it yourself. It isn't too hard.

As far as a full tank of gas fixing your problem - I got nothing.....

This post has been edited by qatar11: May 2, 2007 - 7:27 AM

I got my starter renovated and it turned out to be the battery doh!

mine did the same thing it just kept getting worse ...It only did it in the colder weather though and its summer now so it just stopped

wow, i havent seen qatar's sn since i was posting on celica.net

ok im having the smae problem,except when i try to start it it continualy clicks.BUT.IF i pump the clutch a few times ands try it it helps once and a while.wtf is it?I dont think pumping clutch would have anything to do with the starter?

Have your batter tested and check the connections.

If both are good, it is most likely your starter.
Probably the contacts. And yes you can replace them, but it all depends how mechanically inclined you are.......
And while they're not that expensive, I've never seen them for under $10.
Under $30 is more accurate.

Filling it with gas has nothing to do with it.
Coincidental....

Pumping the clutch opens and closes the clutch start switch.
Which allows power to flow through the starter.
So you're jolting it, which is why it works.

one click is the switch, solinoid & contacts for mine were $8.xx plus tax, not too hard to do yourself, its just gettin everything apart thats the hardest, if you dont know a good parts guy that has all this stuff still all sealed up laying around then i think list is like 14 for the plunger (which you should replace while in there) then 3 for the one contact n like 2.70 for the other or something like that

Just had a similar problem with my car. Long story short, the crank sensor broke and was sending wrong signals to the engine. Car is at the toyota dealer right now getting fixed because I don't have the time or the tools to even get to the crank sensor.

Originally thought my problem was with my starter or voltage regulator. Eh, such is life.

To be more accurate if you go to a starter specific shop and not Toyota Parts - you will find these parts under $10