Questions and Answers

Celica No Start - Sometimes Q. Mr. Ciulla, I have a 1988 Toyota Celica with 174,000 miles on it. Car runs great, however, once in a while the car won't start. For example: I will start it, go drive to a store about 5 miles away, then when I am done shopping, I go out again to another store. And when I am done, I am not able to start my car. It seems like my car won't start at every second or third stop that I make. If I have my car jumped by another, then it starts.

One time I drove my car for about 20 miles. When I reached my destination, I turned the car off and then I restart it to make sure it will start... .and it did. So of I go shopping, but when I return to my car and I start it, it won' turn. I hear a clicking sound but it won't turn over. I am so puzzled because, I just started my car when I arrived and now it doesn't. The battery is new, the alternator is new, and I have replaced the starter last year. When I jumped my car again, it started.

One day I drove my car 8 miles away from home. After taking care of personal business, I went to my car and guess what, It did not start. I called my wife so she could jump start my car. She told me she will be there within 20 minutes. So I waited. 10 minutes went by, so I decided to try and start my car again, nothing, just a clicking sound. So I waited again. Another 10 minutes went by, and my wife was not there yet, so I decided to try and start it again. Nothing, just another clicking sound, like there isn't enough juice to start my car. When she arrived, I just felt like starting my car again without it being jumped. Guess what, it made this sound... Click... Click... Click... Vroooooom. That's right, the dam car started. Why? How? Gremlins under my hood, playing with me?

I am puzzled....please help.
Eddie

A. It's quite possible you may just have a poor quality remanufactured starter. Cheap remanufactured starters get cheap parts put in them. The solenoid on a poor quality starter is the first thing to go and that sounds like what you're experiencing.

The best quality remanufactured starter you can get is from your Toyota dealer. They are expensive but you get what you pay for.

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