Hi,

My family car won't start. When key on contact, signals come up normaly, we can activate windows etc. The car was boosted, battery seems to have power.

When I turn the key to start the car, it makes a dry loud mechanical noise after a second, like rakakaka, not like a cough. More like something is ticking/clicking but with no power and of course the motor doesn't start.

It seems the problem could be the spark plugs.

I am way not qualified to go dig them up to check them, clean them or change them.

If you know a bit of mechanics and are in the city of Montreal, close to Verdun neighborhood, would you please, please come help me check it out and figure what can and should be done with my car?

Thank you so very much!

Camryfam1993

 

If the engine makes a tick/click noise but does not crank over the issues could be:

-Bad electrical connection at the battery cables caused by corrosion from battery acid.

A Google search will turn up hits on cleaning the battery terminals.

-Failing battery.
Typically a failing battery will be OK for time if jumped and charged for a time then lose power when engine is off. If the engine is turned off it can be restarted but if a longer period of time passes the battery may be dead again.

-Bad starter solenoid electrical contacts.

All are common.

The solenoid is a large electrical relay is between the battery cable and starter motor. Turning the ign key to start powers the relay allowing power to flow from the battery to the starter motor.

The electrical contacts become damaged over time by the high electrical currant and arcing as the contacts close and open.

The solenoid is bolted to the starter motor making both parts look like one.

Find the starter on the engine then look for a large electrical cable attached to the starter assy by a stud and nut. This is the solenoid.

The starter looks like the photo below:

More Information for ACDELCO 3361087

The gear and snout behind it are hidden by the bell housing the starter is bolted to.

If the starter solenoid it can be fixed.

The contacts can be replaced if one knows what they are doing, parts cost is about $35 US from Toyota.

The solenoid can also be replaced.

Most people replace the complete starter as easiest, more readily available, etc.

 

Thank you Toyomoho!

As it is, we tried to charge the battery for 15 minutes without attempting to start the engine. We then started it and IT STARTED!

After that, we let it run a bit. A half hour later I started it again, and we noticed that the more we start it, the quicker it starts.

So we might be looking at a new battery of course.

Now that it's starting again, I'll try to get it to a garage to have it diagnosed.

Could the problem still be the solenoid, knowing the new info?

Thank you so much!

 

Appears to be the battery at this point. Some autoparts stores will test battery performance for free.

A failing battery can seem OK then lose it charge overnight. The engine starts OK with a jump or charge, things work well then overnight the battery loses it charge.

The battery can hold some charge but loses it quickly.

Another reason a battery will lose its charge is something electrical is left on in the car. If you think this is the problem disconnect the ground cable when the car sits overnight.

Have the battery tested with a device that places a electrical load on it.

Make sure the battery terminals connections are tight, clean and free of corrosion.