alok@ecn-pc.UUCP (Alok Kulshreshtha) (10/28/85)
This is a continuation of the previous article on the same subject. I called the Toyota dealer in town today and the people there told me that the car DID come with a 'seat-belt interlock' system, but that was disconnected prior to delivery (the car was bought new in New York state, I know, and this dealer is in Lafayette IN; I don't know if the laws on the 'seat-belt interlock' system varied from state to state at that time -- 1975). They also told me that if the problem was in that system, the car would NEVER start, so I presume that the problem is NOT in the 'seat-belt interlock' system because it is only occasional. They suggested it could be either the battery or the starter. I know my battery is good-as-new; my connections are clean too. I may also add that a few days ago when the car refused to start for a couple of minutes, I tried to push it with the transmission engaged (it's a four-speed manual), because I thought maybe the starter teeth and flywheel teeth weren't engaging properly and pushing the car this way could change the flywheel position. But this didn't help. The car started a few minutes later anyway, though. If the problem is in the starter (or the solenoid), is the starter (or solenoid) easy to replace by myself ? I'd appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks a lot.
svirsky@ttidcb.UUCP (William Svirsky) (10/31/85)
In article <411@ecn-pc.UUCP> alok@ecn-pc.UUCP (Alok Kulshreshtha) writes: > >If the problem is in the starter (or the solenoid), is >the starter (or solenoid) easy to replace by myself ? Replacing the solenoid and/or starter is usually not very difficult. Your best bet is to go to a bookstore or auto parts store and get a repair manual for your car. Chilton is usually good. You shouldn't need to get the one that covers all makes of cars. Chilton also makes manuals for specific autos. They usually include a troubleshooting guide to help you pinpoint the problem. You said the battery was in good condition and the connections were clean. A friend of mine once cleaned his battery terminals with a wire brush and thought they were clean and his car still wouldn't start. We eventually found out that the corrosion on the terminals was tough enough to resist the wire brush. We had to scrape the connections with a knife before the corrosion came off. A good way to test if the battery is supplying enough juice is to turn on your headlights and try to start the car. If the headlights dim alot, then your battery may be weak or the terminals may be dirty. Try this next time you start the car and also next time the car won't start. See if there is any difference. Hope this helps. Bill Svirsky Citicorp/TTI Santa Monica, CA (213)450-9111x2597 To: ttidca!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!ucdavis!ucbvax!decvax!bellcore!petrus!scherzo!allegra!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!ecn-pc!alok Subject: Re: 75 Toyota Corolla, starting problem Newsgroups: net.auto.tech In-Reply-To: <411@ecn-pc.UUCP> References: <410@ecn-pc.UUCP> Organization: Transaction Technology, Inc. (CitiCorp), Santa Monica Cc: Bcc: In article <411@ecn-pc.UUCP> you write: > >If the problem is in the starter (or the solenoid), is >the starter (or solenoid) easy to replace by myself ? Replacing the solenoid and/or starter is usually not very difficult. Your best bet is to go to a bookstore or auto parts store and get a repair manual for your car. Chilton is usually good. You shouldn't need to get the one that covers all makes of cars. Chilton also makes manuals for specific autos. They usually include a troubleshooting guide to help you pinpoint the problem. You said the battery was in good condition and the connections were clean. A friend of mine once cleaned his battery terminals with a wire brush and thought they were clean and his car still wouldn't start. We eventually found out that the corrosion on the terminals was tough enough to resist the wire brush. We had to scrape the connections with a knife before the corrosion came off. A good way to test if the battery is supplying enough juice is to turn on your headlights and try to start the car. If the headlights dim alot, then your battery may be weak or the terminals may be dirty. Try this next time you start the car and also next time the car won't start. See if there is any difference. Hope this helps. Bill Svirsky Citicorp/TTI Santa Monica, CA (213)450-9111x2597