I have a 96 corolla. And I recently had trouble starting it in the
morning. I have had this issue before. And usually changing the battery
was the correct remedy. So I changed the battery 5 days ago. And the
car had no trouble starting up until today. Right after work, at around
6:00 pm. I had a heck of a time getting the car to start. Could this be
the battery again? Or could there be underlying problems?

<henree21 (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

The only way to tell whether the problem is the battery or not is to test
the battery.

What symptoms are you experiencing? If you are hearing clicking sounds and
the battery checks out as OK, then check the condition of the contacts in
the starter relay. The contacts are available separately and are
replaceable.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

I haven't heard any clicking sounds. And the battery is brand new. What
contacts are you referring to?

<henree21 (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote


Start by measuring battery voltage. The battery voltage should be somewhere
between 12 and 14.4 volts. It battery voltage is OK, then check for battery
voltage at the starter. If there is no power at the starter, check power
coming out of the relay. If no power coming out of the relay but power is
going into the relay, then the contacts are suspect.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On 22 Jun 2006 20:34:22 -0700, henree21 (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:

Here is a link to a page showing the contacts and how to replace them.

It is one weak spot in our Toys...lol

On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 11:25:33 GMT, Scott in Florida
<askifyouwant (AT) mindspring (DOT) net> wrote:

OOPS forgot the link

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/index.html

<henree21 (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote


When you try to start it, does the engine crank (turn over) the way it
normally does right before the car starts, or do you just get dead silence?

I had a Tercel from 1990 that was REALLY hard to start if the engine was
cold, it would crank and crank, and if you cranked it for long enough (being
careful not to overheat the battery) it would start, run like utter crap for
a few minutes, then start running fine.

If I recall correctly, it was an exhaust problem. Warm, it would start
right up. I am not sure how any exhaust problem could cause this, but I
think it might have had something to do with exhaust gas recirculation or
emissions stuff or something.

Ernie Sty wrote:
car made a chainsaw like sound for about 3 minutes. Could this be a
sign of an exhaust problem? I also had the mechanic check the battery,
and the alternator, and both are in fine condition. THe mechanic thinks
it could be the starter. But since that shop doesn't mess with
starters, he referred me elsewhere. So is this a starter problem, or an
exhaust problem? Or is it both?

<henree21 (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

Check out the contacts on the starter relay. I doubt if it is an exhaust
problem.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

culprit. But I don't know anything about cars. If I go to a mechanic to
look at the starter. How do I approach him, without looking like a
complete imbecile. I have always been a sucker for cons. The mechanic
may tell me I have thousands of dollars of work that needs to be done.
I like to be specific as possible when I have to get work done at the
shop. That way they think I know what I am talking about.