Help needed : Toyota Corolla 2004 Random Startup problem

singh.amrit · 7th December 2010, 06:36

I have been facing this issue in my corolla since some time now, but earler it was very sparse, now it has become a major problem and I cant seem to find a solution to it, so please help guys,

The Problem:
The car fails to start when I turn the key - all i hear is a "tick' sound - the lights go off ( the ones next to the speedo ) when I turn the key - and thats it, no starter motor sound no nothing. The issue is that this happens very very randomly - maybe at a red light - maybe in the middle of the traffic if I turn the car off - and its a major irritant at those moments with all the people honking behind you - I just turnoff and turn on till it starts. I have had everything checked at the service center, the car has been checked a few times now, escalated - visited by the senior toyota service guys twice, but the main issue was that it didnot happen then, I have sent the car for the same problem approximately 3 times, but the issue does not happen there and they fail to detect anything wrong with the car - the battery is new , alternator is serviced, engine is serviced, everything is ok, what do I do apart from selling the car ?

The car is fit in every other sense and I find no reason to sell it apart from this.

flipsyde · 7th December 2010, 09:36

I have had the same issue in my 2003 Corolla and two issues have helped rectify the problem. The rectifier on the alternator was failing which means the charging volts kept dropping from 14v as the car kept idling with AC and Lights. Relatively cheap fix at Rs.1250 including labour. The other problem was the battery itself. The battery was 4 years old and couldn't hold the charge long enough. And since my running was fairly less I ended up with a dead battery.

Also look at electrical leakages especially if you have an aftermarket audio setup. Good luck with the problem.

jav · 7th December 2010, 09:55

It could be a faulty ignition switch or the wire connections from the ignition switch might be loose.

sushrutha · 7th December 2010, 10:32

I would suggest you to get your Starter motor & Solenoid switch verified by an experienced Auto electrician. If needed get the started motor/switch repaired or get a new one. This should mostly solve your issue.

mile201 · 7th December 2010, 12:19

A similar thing was happening with my friends accord, turns out one of the battery terminals was lose! can't explain why it would happen that way but worth a check before you take it to the shop... costs nothing.

singh.amrit · 7th December 2010, 15:48

I think I should add this info :
I got the alternator serviced (500rs or so) from the toyota service center - and the problem went away for 6 months or so, when it started occurring again, I had to get the car serviced, they checked everything and said that there was no problem - and again for 1- 2 months no problem, weird, but I think some wore maybe lose ?

@mile201 - I checked the battery and the connections, they seem fine to me. The service center had also checked them.

lordofgondor · 7th December 2010, 16:08

Do you have a security system installed in your car? There could be a malfunction in that causing this issue. I've experienced a similar situation with my Indica, and after numerous visits to TASS where they checked everything and found nothing, the problem was rectified when we removed the security system on the suggestion of my mechanic (I cursed myself for not going to him straightaway). Now the car starts in one crank.

singh.amrit · 7th December 2010, 17:39

Yes I do, its an AUTOCOP XS, can anyone else confirm this before I actually get it removed from the car ? But I doubt that It monitors the Ignition part of the corolla since that is supposed to be binded with the chip in the key ( correct me if I am wrong), but I am ready to go ahead with this if few others can confirm this !

vigsom · 8th December 2010, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by singh.amrit

all i hear is a "tick' sound - the lights go off ( the ones next to the speedo ) when I turn the key - and thats it,

The car is fit in every other sense and I find no reason to sell it apart from this.

The problem can be easily sorted out by a competent electrician-and Iam sure Lucknow has many of them(not necessarily at Toyota,though).

Generally Denso electricals never give problems.

Start the car and check the voltage across the battery-it should read 13.9-14.4V.If yes,then your alternator is fine.
Check that the alternator socket is in its slot.
Check the battery terminals-loose terminals can cause the lights to go out when you turn the key,but then the lights won't come back unless the terminal cable shakes again;do they come back on after you turn the key?
Check the condition of the starter cable-replace if if bad.

singh.amrit · 9th December 2010, 00:56

1 - the voltage is 14 V
2 - No idea what to look for (will go to a mechanic)
3 - Lights do come on and the terminal does not seem lose.
4 - Again, will ask the mechanic.

Is it possible to remove the autocop without too much hassle ? so that I can ask the electrician do disconnect the wires - for me to test the car for a few days .

vigsom · 9th December 2010, 09:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by singh.amrit

Is it possible to remove the autocop without too much hassle ? so that I can ask the electrician do disconnect the wires - for me to test the car for a few days .

Just disconnect the main power wire to the autocop and the unit will get de-energised.

Jaggu · 9th December 2010, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushrutha

I would suggest you to get your Starter motor & Solenoid switch verified by an experienced Auto electrician. If needed get the started motor/switch repaired or get a new one. This should mostly solve your issue.

+1 issue sure sounds like an erratic starter solenoid. Time for a service, ie if other electrical problems are ruled out.

lordofgondor · 9th December 2010, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by singh.amrit

Is it possible to remove the autocop without too much hassle ? so that I can ask the electrician do disconnect the wires - for me to test the car for a few days .

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigsom

Just disconnect the main power wire to the autocop and the unit will get de-energised.

Does your Autocop system includes the immobilizer option too? As in, can you start the car without unlocking it by the system's remote? Saying this because I'd disconnected the system wires from the battery in my Indica, but had not removed the black box (and it's wiring). Used to face the problem of car not starting randomly. Got the black box removed, and since then have never faced the problem.

singh.amrit · 9th December 2010, 16:58

Thanks for the help guys, I shall update this thread as soon as I can find time to get the above things done.

sushrutha · 24th December 2010, 11:02

@singh.amrit, so whatz the latest update on this issue?
Did your car's issue got resolved ? if yes, what was the problem ?

7th December 2010, 06:36	#1
singh.amrit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 106 Thanked: 0 Times	Help needed : Toyota Corolla 2004 Random Startup problem I have been facing this issue in my corolla since some time now, but earler it was very sparse, now it has become a major problem and I cant seem to find a solution to it, so please help guys, The Problem: The car fails to start when I turn the key - all i hear is a "tick' sound - the lights go off ( the ones next to the speedo ) when I turn the key - and thats it, no starter motor sound no nothing. The issue is that this happens very very randomly - maybe at a red light - maybe in the middle of the traffic if I turn the car off - and its a major irritant at those moments with all the people honking behind you - I just turnoff and turn on till it starts. I have had everything checked at the service center, the car has been checked a few times now, escalated - visited by the senior toyota service guys twice, but the main issue was that it didnot happen then, I have sent the car for the same problem approximately 3 times, but the issue does not happen there and they fail to detect anything wrong with the car - the battery is new , alternator is serviced, engine is serviced, everything is ok, what do I do apart from selling the car ? The car is fit in every other sense and I find no reason to sell it apart from this.
	() Thanks

7th December 2010, 09:36	#2
flipsyde BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 643 Thanked: 84 Times	I have had the same issue in my 2003 Corolla and two issues have helped rectify the problem. The rectifier on the alternator was failing which means the charging volts kept dropping from 14v as the car kept idling with AC and Lights. Relatively cheap fix at Rs.1250 including labour. The other problem was the battery itself. The battery was 4 years old and couldn't hold the charge long enough. And since my running was fairly less I ended up with a dead battery. Also look at electrical leakages especially if you have an aftermarket audio setup. Good luck with the problem.
	() Thanks

7th December 2010, 09:55	#3
jav BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 225 Thanked: 66 Times	It could be a faulty ignition switch or the wire connections from the ignition switch might be loose. Last edited by jav : 7th December 2010 at 09:56.
	() Thanks

7th December 2010, 10:32	#4
sushrutha Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chikmagalur/Ban Posts: 1,701 Thanked: 335 Times View My Garage	I would suggest you to get your Starter motor & Solenoid switch verified by an experienced Auto electrician. If needed get the started motor/switch repaired or get a new one. This should mostly solve your issue.
	() Thanks

7th December 2010, 12:19	#5
mile201 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Dallas / Pune Posts: 14 Thanked: 2 Times	A similar thing was happening with my friends accord, turns out one of the battery terminals was lose! can't explain why it would happen that way but worth a check before you take it to the shop... costs nothing.
	(1) Thanks

7th December 2010, 15:48	#6
singh.amrit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 106 Thanked: 0 Times	I think I should add this info : I got the alternator serviced (500rs or so) from the toyota service center - and the problem went away for 6 months or so, when it started occurring again, I had to get the car serviced, they checked everything and said that there was no problem - and again for 1- 2 months no problem, weird, but I think some wore maybe lose ? @mile201 - I checked the battery and the connections, they seem fine to me. The service center had also checked them.
	() Thanks

7th December 2010, 16:08	#7
lordofgondor BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: UP 16 Posts: 936 Thanked: 159 Times	Do you have a security system installed in your car? There could be a malfunction in that causing this issue. I've experienced a similar situation with my Indica, and after numerous visits to TASS where they checked everything and found nothing, the problem was rectified when we removed the security system on the suggestion of my mechanic (I cursed myself for not going to him straightaway). Now the car starts in one crank.
	() Thanks

7th December 2010, 17:39	#8
singh.amrit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 106 Thanked: 0 Times	Yes I do, its an AUTOCOP XS, can anyone else confirm this before I actually get it removed from the car ? But I doubt that It monitors the Ignition part of the corolla since that is supposed to be binded with the chip in the key ( correct me if I am wrong), but I am ready to go ahead with this if few others can confirm this !
	() Thanks

9th December 2010, 00:56	#10
singh.amrit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 106 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Help needed : Toyota Corolla 2004 Random Startup problem 1 - the voltage is 14 V 2 - No idea what to look for (will go to a mechanic) 3 - Lights do come on and the terminal does not seem lose. 4 - Again, will ask the mechanic. Is it possible to remove the autocop without too much hassle ? so that I can ask the electrician do disconnect the wires - for me to test the car for a few days .
	() Thanks

9th December 2010, 16:58	#14
singh.amrit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 106 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Help needed : Toyota Corolla 2004 Random Startup problem Thanks for the help guys, I shall update this thread as soon as I can find time to get the above things done.
	() Thanks

24th December 2010, 11:02	#15
sushrutha Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chikmagalur/Ban Posts: 1,701 Thanked: 335 Times View My Garage	Re: Help needed : Toyota Corolla 2004 Random Startup problem @singh.amrit, so whatz the latest update on this issue? Did your car's issue got resolved ? if yes, what was the problem ?
	() Thanks