Never praise your car

Hangar Flying
#1

Hey guys,
as it often happens when it rains it pours…

Me and my wife have the identical car, Toyota Yaris from 2006.
I can’t complain about mine, but since we got my wife’s used- well that’s another story.

Apparently now, despite the battery being full and working, when I turn the key the dashboard does turn on, but the engine never even try to start turning…

The ignition lock seems working fine, so I gave a look under the hood but the starter is under the engine and I can’t reach it like this in the road…

Has anyone ever met a problem like this?

PS: The title come from the realisation that anytime I had a problem with my car was exactly a few days after I told how happy I was with it to someone. :confused:

1 Like
#2

I’ve heard from a similar problem with a friend’s car.
Back then I think the reason was a stone marten that had bitten through some cable.

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#3

Cabling is in the back of my mind too.
I just need to get the car towed to work so I can check it…
Evaluating perspectives…

#4

Sounds like the solenoid to engage the starter motor has gone.

3 Likes
#5

Turning the key, and nothing happens?
Yeah, starter solenoid.

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#6

I drive a 2001 Toyota Corolla and that thing has never given me any trouble. <.knocks on wood>

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#7

LOL, you had to say it, right?
But to be fair mine neither. (There I done it this time)

#8

Solenoids are usually quite cheap and can be had at an autoparts’ store without being raped by a dealer.

2 Likes
#9

Nice! I was just trying not to get raped by someone this week…
Last week was the oven, the one earlier extra expenses at school, the one before taxes…

#10

Try bump starting it, if it starts you can rule out a few things,

2 Likes
#11

Was the first thing I tried. Didn’t work.
Second thing was a battery booster.

#12

sorry might be a language thing here, I should have have said push start… it should start with no battery and no starter motor. if its not push starting then it could be a much bigger problem

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#13

Nono I got it, push start was the first. :slight_smile:
After that I went booster.

Although admittedly it could have been a bit of a half assed try…

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#14

LOL… When I lived with my parents, we lived on a pretty steep hill, and my car was a touch unreliable, well I became a master at the rolling start… I had to … you only got one shot… then you where at the bottom of the hill :grinning:

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#15

Back to the car, when you turn the ignition is there anything at all, any clicks?

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#16

Stupid idea but I did this once with my old Camry. Are you sure its in park or neutral, you won’t get the starter otherwise.

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#17

IIRC yes.

#18

It’s a manual but yeah, I have to keep the clutch pressed to turn it on.
Sadly I did all correctly.

#19

I had a similar experience one morning where the engine management computer randomly decided to remove my key ID from its database and so wouldn’t disable the immobiliser. I called the AA (the Automobile Association in the UK, not the other AA :grin:) and the mechanic who came just disconnected both terminals of the battery and connected them together for a few seconds to fully discharge everything and force a hard reset. When he reconnected them again, problem solved. Job done in less than 5 minutes.

I’m not recommending you try this, but it did serve as a good reminder that all computers sometimes need the big boot to clear out the fluff.

2 Likes
#20

I don‘t know a lot about cars, but have you checked the fuse box? Or a second key.

1 Like