Car not starting

[nightvision]

Hello gear heads,
I need your help to trouble shoot my car problem. I have a 1997 Toyota Corrola with 116,500 miles. OK, here is the problem. I go to turn on the key and nothing. No clicking noises. Absolute silence.

The starter was replaced about 2.5 years ago. I thought it was the battery, I bought a brand new one and install it. I do have battery power, because I can turn on all electrical items. Still, no start when turning the key.

Where should I start to trouble shoot. Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Car not starting

First thing I would do is attempt to find a manual with a schematic.

Do your dash gauges come on when you turn the key to the run position? If the dash comes on, does your car have a manual transmission or an automatic? If manual, your clutch interlock switch may have become unconnected and if automatic, your neutral/Park switch may have become disconnected or failed.

 

[FIRE34]

Re: Car not starting

First thing i would check is the wires to the starter. Make sure there tight and clean. Then check your grounds from the battery to the chasis.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Car not starting

Fire34 beat me to it. Start by checking all connections and wires from the battery to their end point. Could be a bad (corroded) connection on any of the ends. Also, the cable could be internally corroded and therefore bad. Lights and such use low amperage. Starting requires a lot of amps.

After checking the cables, pull the battery have it tested, then pull the starter and have it tested.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Car not starting

Before I would pull the starter, I would just try to jumper the start solenoid. If you apply voltage to the solenoid that engages the starter and the starter operates, it tells you a lot of information without going through the trouble of pulling the starter off.

I do agree that the cables to the starter from the battery need to be checked thoroughly. I have been burnt by internal corrosion of a battery cable before. Often on Toyotas, there is a seperate cable that comes off of the cable at the battery post that feeds everything except the starter. You coul dhave voltage to everything except the starter. If you battery has a lot of corrosion on it, you may want to just replace your battery cable.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Car not starting

Last time I had this the neutral switch was the problem. I jiggled the shift lever and got it to sputter.

Another time it was the starter solinod. Don't know where it is on your car, but on my old Ford it was on the wheel well. Trace the heavy wire from the starter and see where it goes. Then meter it when someone tries to start the car. Should give you a good indication if the problem is in the starter.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Car not starting

Don't know where it is on your car, but on my old Ford it was on the wheel well.

Will not be there on a Toyota. Its on the starter. Ford has a different style starter.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Car not starting

Check to see if there is a fuse for the starter. My Isuzu Trooper has fuse in the fuse block for the starter circuit and blew out yesaterday morning when I tried to start it at -27 below.

Then check to see if it has a relay for the starting circuit.

 

[nightvision]

Re: Car not starting

Hi all,
Thanks for the replies. I will work on it tomorrow. Just a little info.
When I start the car the engine lights comes on. The car is an automatic. All electrical seems to be working.