Lately, when I go to start the car, absolutely nothing happens when I turn
the key for a moment or two and then ignition. Today, it did absolutely
nothing for 10 seconds and then fired and started. Does anyone know what
the problem is?

You should have been lurking here about 6 mos ago when I was pulling my hair
out with my no start Corolla. If you are certain that there isn't even a
click when you turn the key, it could be the neutral safety switch. Try
putting the shifter more sharply into park or in neutral and see if this
helps. I eventually had to bypass my broken switch, but that was only half
my problem. I also ran new cabling and wiring because I wasn't getting a
full juice from the battery.

If you get a click-click when you turn the key, it is the famous starter
plunger / selenoid problem which can be easily rebuilt with a kit.

Try the hard-to-park position or neutral first. Keep us posted.

G
"rlt" <rltoms (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

One more thing before you decide to tear apart the ignition switch, make
sure that the small diameter wire that runs to the starter is in GREAT
shape. If it is corroded, or brittle, or otherwise not good, the full 12
volts can't get to the starter solenoid to activate the starter. That
little wire drove nuts. I had to eventually install a relay to get full
power directly from the battery since my old beast (1978) just couldn't get
full current to the starter using the old existing wiring system.

G

"rlt" <rltoms (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

Thanks Gordo,

That gives me something to work with. I have been suspicious that I'm not
getting a full 12 volts to the starter but some time ago, I also had a
problem getting the transmission out of "Park". I found if I pulled the
shifter hard enough to the right, I could get past the safety.

I'll let you know how it goes. I've got 249,000 miles on the car. I
bought it new and it doesn't owe me anything but I hate to get rid of it -
it's like an old friend.

rlt

"rlt" <rltoms (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

To cure the difficulty getting the shift lever out of park, try lubing the
shift lock solenoid with WD-40, making sure the plunger moves freely.
--
Ray O
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