It takes turning the key 100-250 times but then the Tercel starts right up

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Abe - 13 Feb 2006 21:37 GMT

Hi there,

If anyone can offer any advice on what problem my little Tercel is
having I'd sure appreciate it.

The deal is that EVERY time I start the car I have to turn the key
somewhere between 100 and 250 times. It didn't use to be this bad. When
the problem began it initially only took a few times--that was about a
year ago. Each time I turn the key the dashboard indicators light up
but no sound is heard from the engine compartment... no starter sounds
at all. So, I just keep turning the key back and forth until all at
once the car starts right up--as if I hadn't even been trying the
previous 99 turns of the key. A couple of friends who claim to have car
technical skills believe it to be the ignition--but is it the ignition
switch or the ignition coil? Can anyone provide an approximate estimate
(range) of how much I'm looking at to get something like this fixed at
the mechanic's? Are we talking roughly $150-$250? More? Less?

btw, I've tried using a new key and saying a prayer before turning the
key. I've had some luck with the prayers, none with the new key.

Thanks for the help!

Regards,

Abe

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Daniel J. Stern - 13 Feb 2006 21:55 GMT

> The deal is that EVERY time I start the car I have to turn the key
> somewhere between 100 and 250 times. It didn't use to be this bad. When
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> once the car starts right up--as if I hadn't even been trying the
> previous 99 turns of the key.

Could be faulty "start" contacts in your ignition switch, could be faulty
wiring between the ignition switch and the starter relay or between the
starter relay and the starter solenoid, or could be a faulty starter. You
don't mention what year your Tercel is, but if it uses a Nippondenso
gear-reduction starter, which a vast number of Toyotas do, just about the
only failure mode they experience with any regularity is with the solenoid
contacts. When that happens the symptoms are as you describe. Sometimes
you can hear a click, sometimes not. The fix in that case need not be
expensive or difficult; the challenge is in finding a tech who's willing
to fix the starter rather than replacing it.

Starter solenoid contact info for the Denso OSGR starter is here:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

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Abe - 13 Feb 2006 22:24 GMT

Hey Daniel,

Thanks for the remarkably quick and helpful reply. Sounds like you're
right on the money about the solenoid. I'll see if I can find a
mechanic who'll give the starter some lov'in--not replacement (unless
it absolutely needs it). The Tercel is an '87, two door.

Thanks again!

Regards,

Abe

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Al Bundy - 14 Feb 2006 13:54 GMT

Next time it doesn't start, try tapping on the starter solenoid with
something solid. If it starts then, that fact would likely confirm the
solenoid theory.

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Mike Romain - 13 Feb 2006 22:29 GMT

You could easily be describing dirty battery cable ends.

After trying it for a bit, I would go and feel the ends of the cables.
If one is hot, that would be the bad connection. Don't forget, the
cables have 2 ends, but I suspect the bad connection would be at the
battery.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
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(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Abe

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dnoyeB - 14 Feb 2006 14:53 GMT

> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Abe

Do the cluster lights turn off and on every turn of the ignition key?

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Thank you,

"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

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