celica isnt starting sometimes. Options

[KOWABUNGA]

my buddy just picked up a 1994 celica st just before winter hit. he planned on using it as a winter beater. lately it hasnt been starting up right away. it doesnt crank or anything. but then 10 minutes later it will start right up. he replaced the battery with a brand new one, and replaced the alternator and belt but its still not starting on somedays.

anyone have any idea on what could be causing this to happen?

like i said, it doesnt crank over when the key is turned, but all electrical devices work fine. we wait about 10 minutes and it starts right up without a problem.

he said it could be the cold weather, but my celica doesnt have any problems in the winter.

anyone have a clue???

[Kwanza26]

Starter?

[Havok1997GT]

Does it make any noice when you try to start it, like a click? does it try to turn over? do the lights dim when you try to start it the first time? do you smell gas when you try to start it? do you smell gas when it does start?

[KOWABUNGA]

nope, doesnt make any sound when we try to start it. havnt noticed any gas smell. lights dont dim when we try to start it.

could be the starter.. not sure yet. but if it is the starter, then how come it goes days without a problem, and then WHAM! it wont start. but 10 minutes later it will start right up without a prob.

[Havok1997GT]

nope, doesnt make any sound when we try to start it. havnt noticed any gas smell. lights dont dim when we try to start it.

could be the starter.. not sure yet. but if it is the starter, then how come it goes days without a problem, and then WHAM! it wont start. but 10 minutes later it will start right up without a prob.

your saying its 10 min on the dot? how many times do you try to start it with in that 10 min? like do you try to start it, then wait 10 min and try again or do you try to start it and try a few more times with in a 10 min period?

[laff09]

Check your grounds, making sure they are touching BARE metal and secured properly, and clean your battery terminals .

[KOWABUNGA]

well not exactly 10 minutes on the dot but almost. but we try to start it multiple times and then let it sit for ABOUT 10 minutes lol. and then it will start right up.


battery is very clean. new connectors. i will check the grounds.

This post has been edited by KOWABUNGA: Jan 15, 2008 - 7:29 PM

[GriffGirl]

I'm gonna go with the starter on this one too... sounds like classic Time to Get a New Starter symptoms to me...

[laff09]

How does it run after it starts up? Constant idle or does it rise and fall a few hundreds rpms?
It doesn't sound like a starter to me, because it seems to be an intermittent problem. Which leads me to believe its either in your grounds, plugs, plug wires, distributor rotor, or loose connections at coil or igniter.. I would check in pretty much that order.

[laff09]

New starter from www.1sttoyotaparts.com are $169.20 w/ $30.00 core. There are two different ones that fit the ST, a 1.2 kW and a 1.4kW. Normally about 9 bucks shipping....so yeah, you might waste an hour checking the above. But you could waste $200 and still not fix the problem.. but good luck man, keep us posted

[GriffGirl]

That's true... however in my own experience, that's what two of my starters did, including the one on my current car. One starter just sounded like a grinding noise (bearings going out) but others just don't do anything, they just sit there. I think there's a little thing inside that rotates and sparks, if the electrical spark thing inside is going out, that's what it'll do, it'll just start inconsistently until it stops starting altogether.

Side note: I got my starter replaced at Start Mart (I think they're national) - $130 w/labor for a rebuilt one.

This post has been edited by GriffGirl: Jan 15, 2008 - 7:48 PM

[KOWABUNGA]

its idles at normal after it starts. on some occasions its kinda boggy for a couple seconds after it starts, but then its fine.

ill check all that stuff. ill also look for a start mart in my area. if not ill just call places and ask for quotes.

thanx everyone for the help so far. please continue to provide me with tips!

[CelicaBuddy]

sounds exactly what happened to my car a couple years ago... I'd turn the key, and there would be absolutely nothing cept this lil tiny click noise, but other then that nothing. I'd keep turning the key and eventually it'd start up outa the blue...
replaced the starter and we were all good and dandy.

This post has been edited by CelicaBuddy: Jan 15, 2008 - 8:24 PM

[Shigexile]

Does it make any noice when you try to start it, like a click? does it try to turn over? do the lights dim when you try to start it the first time? do you smell gas when you try to start it? do you smell gas when it does start?

what if mine "clicks" just like you said? i have the same problem w/ my car lately. it won't start up fine sometimes. all the electricity goes out but after a while they come back...?

[Havok1997GT]

Does it make any noice when you try to start it, like a click? does it try to turn over? do the lights dim when you try to start it the first time? do you smell gas when you try to start it? do you smell gas when it does start?

what if mine "clicks" just like you said? i have the same problem w/ my car lately. it won't start up fine sometimes. all the electricity goes out but after a while they come back...?

That sounds like a short somewhere if you electricals are going out when it happens.



And as for KOWABUNGA i really dont think its a starter problem. check the other stuff first that laff09 listed. that stuff will be easy to check and way cheaper.

[bccentaur3]

I don't know if any of you guys picked up on his first sentence. His friend bought it as a WINTER BEATER.. My feelings are hurt. It could be the starter selinoid.

[Havok1997GT]

I don't know if any of you guys picked up on his first sentence. His friend bought it as a WINTER BEATER.. My feelings are hurt. It could be the starter selinoid.

i saw it. He'll come around

[bccentaur3]

Yeah, I'm praying for the man.