Temperamental Start ups? Options

[yellowchinaman]

So what could cause this?
I noticed it happens only when it's really cold. Turn the key and nothing happens. Wait a few seconds or try a few times it starts up no problem?
Battery reads full power. Wiring and earthing is probably as good as it can get.

Do you think it could be my starter motor?

This post has been edited by yellowchinaman: Jan 14, 2013 - 9:59 AM

[delusionz]

mine does this too since i did battery to boot relocation, i always figure id fix it one day by putting in a full length ground cable

[Box]

Cold cranking amps yo. That or it could be the starter, perhaps ignition switch. Can take the starter off to have it tested.

This post has been edited by Box: Jan 14, 2013 - 3:20 PM

[Batman722]

Starter.

[azian_advanced]

Dirty battery terminals

[Special_Edy]

Mine used to have this problem, it sounds to me like you've got a loose/corroded connection between the clamps and the terminals or the clamps and the cables.

A weak battery shouldnt cause this issue

You can use any metal tool to scrape the metal that makes contact in these connections, you want to expose virgin metal from under the surface. Then retighten the connections.

This post has been edited by Special_Edy: Jan 15, 2013 - 12:58 AM

[yellowchinaman]

Battery terminals and cables are all new. I'll double check and clean all the earthing points again and see how it goes.
Thanks fellas.

[garin]

starter sounds like a reasonable cause. my celica also has this issue with the battery relocation... good voltage when it works. my car randomly shuts off at stop lights sometimes and the fuse will blow to. good grounds and zero gauge wire from the battery in the trunk to the starter.

[99celiGT]

its the starter, i had the same issue in really cold weather and after replacing the starter my car starts up just fine now

[Special_Edy]

Yes unnecessarily replacing the battery or starter will usually fix the loose connection

[blackliftback]

Battery terminals and cables are all new. I'll double check and clean all the earthing points again and see how it goes.
Thanks fellas.

Try checking the wire connections on your starter. I had the same issue when i had my b16 civic and thought i needed a new starter. Bought one and went to replace it..... found a loose connection and ended up with a new starter for spare parts lol. Sometimes it will be close enough to crank the engine and sometimes it would be too far and do nothing.

[yellowchinaman]

ok. Im gona make it clear. It is not the battery or connections.
So is there any wY I can test the selonoid or starter motor?

This post has been edited by yellowchinaman: Jan 19, 2013 - 2:54 PM

[Special_Edy]

Remove it and take it to autozone

[Galcobar]

ok. Im gona make it clear. It is not the battery or connections.
So is there any wY I can test the selonoid or starter motor?

An inconsistent start can also be caused by worn contacts in the starter solenoid. Those cost about $10, and require about five minutes to replace once the starter is out of the engine. It's easy to check their condition; pull the starter, pop the case open and see if the contacts have a chunk worn out.

Listening is useful in these cases. A single click tells you the solenoid is getting power and is attempting to close the plunger. This is typical of worn contacts -- the wear creates a ridge on which the plunger can catch, preventing it from closing and therefore from creating a solid connection to transfer enough electricity to turn the engine over. No click indicates no power's getting to the starter motor, either due to a bad connection or a dead battery. Do the interior lights dim when trying to start the car? The dimming is due to the starter drawing power; no flicker indicates the starter is not drawing power.

You can test the starter by removing it from the car and directly applying power to the appropriate terminals. However, it takes a lot more current to spin the engine than it does just the starter, so a bench test can fail to expose a weak connection. Worn contacts are an inconsistent problem, as it's a fine line between catching on the edge of the wear versus full engagement -- this is why disassembly is recommended.

A fuller explanation and how-to: http://www.celicatech.com/forums/showthrea...lems-and-repair
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/St...#OnlineOrdering

You can even get the contacts from Toyota -- at least, they list them -- as starter kits or repair service kits which cost between $6 and $16. Given how specific the part is, I'd probably ask Tracey at Lithia Toyota (Aaron left Lithia as of Jan. 15) to look it up for you via your VIN.

This post has been edited by Galcobar: Jan 20, 2013 - 8:48 AM

[yellowchinaman]

Thanks for the advice. Its snowing in london now so ill check that when I haven't space in my workshop to tinkle wih my car.