Hi everyone. I just want to know if there is anyone out there who knows a thing or two(more is better!) with old toyota corolla 1982. My job contract ended last friday and was about to start job hunting again this morning when...MY CAR WOULDNT START! Car radio, wipers, lights, they all work. So I guess it isnt the battery. Could be the starter. But how? How do I troubleshoot starters? please help. One day is already wasted. Need to find a job soon....

Desperate mother of 2

Hey there.

Ok we need to know more about your car's symptoms. Is it 1, 2 or 3?

1) The starter makes a slow whiring noise, but wont catch.
2) You turn the key and there is a click sound, but nothing else.
3) You turn the key and there is nothing.

I guess possibly 4) none of the above. If so, what are the symptoms?

When we know more, maybe we can help!

Good Luck!

This sounds like it may be the starter...those are all the same things that happened to my car (not a toyota, though). The best advice is to take it to someone because it really can be a numerous amount of things. You don't want to assume it's the starter, which can be rather expensive.

ooh im having this same problem

mine is 1)

its been about 3 times that this has happened.

(2 weeks ago) the first time i was on a hill, so i did a kick-start.
after i got home, i turned the engine off and started it up again, and it worked fine for about a week


(few days ago) the second time, i let the car sit for like 30 min, and it started up again.
same thing, turn engine off, it turns right back on when i turn the key

3rd time (today)
i tried jumping it because i thought it was the battery
we were near sears, so we took the battery to sears and it tested fine.

so im thinking its the starter...

thanks for your help in advance!

please email wiggafly808@yahoo.com

Hey there,

Ok, if yours is one, it does sound like the battery. If the battery has been tested and is fine, then maybe the flow of power from the battery to the starter may not be strong enough. Check the cables from the battery as best you can, and be sure to check the negative cable going to the bar body. Sometimes they start to break from the cables bouncing and what not. That can have a big effect.

Also, when you said you have had problems, how long was your car sitting for beforehand? A day or 2? Dont trust lights and things as real indicators. It takes far less power to light the bulb than to kick over an engine.

Ok, check those things out and see how you go. I know you had your battery tested and they said its fine, but that was after the car had been running right? So it would be charged up at that stage and can give a false indicator. One good test for a battery is this; if you car wont start but will when you get a jump, its the battery. So try getting a jump next time its messing up. But with batteries, when in doubt, change it out. I know they arent cheap, but a roadside service can cost a lot more!

Hope that helps.

If your car has been sitting for a long time...especially in colder weather, that could definately be part of the problem (as stated above).

Im in hawaii, so no cold weather

and i was actually driving it, then turned it off for around 20 min, and then it wont start up.

after i waited an hour or so, it started back up

i checked my connections, but couldnt find anything

im puzzled.

i am driving it around daily now.