A week or so ago my car had its first problem since i bought it. I went out in the morning to start it, put in the key, turned it and nothing. Not even a click. Radio came on, heater came on, everything worked but just wouldn't turn over. Removed the key, stuck it back in, turned it and it started right up without a hitch. It does this very intermitantly. Seems when its cold out, it does this. It only does it in the morning, and not every morning. It never does this during the day or at night, only when its been sitting overnight. Yesterday it took me 4 times of taking the key out and retrying to get it to start. Today, started on the first try. What gives?

A friend told me they had a similar problem on an old camry. Ended up being a flat spot on the starter. Could this be the case? Any ideas? Is my starter toast?

 

Have a qualified shop do a voltage drop test on the battery cables before you throw $300 bucks into a new starter. Te way lead-acid batteries work they emit gasses that can damage the cables internally that can not be visably inspected from looking at the coating on the outside. If the shop doesn't undersatnd the test keep calling until you find one that does. A "flat" spot on a battery happens once in a 100,000 compared to battery cables damaged inside. Especailly in cars the age of yours.

 

The starter contacts have copper that wears off because there is a starter hammer than bangs against it. It physically wears out.

Thats what the guy at the starter shop told me.

 

Starters going bad on those year tl's are common.
Just replace it.

 

I've got a similar problem too, my car has never failed to start (minus leaving my headlights on, stupid design) but a lot of times, most often in the morning, it will take longer then normal to start. There's no clicking or anything like that, just it takes an extra 1-2 seconds to start.

 

That makes sense. At least that was my first thought. I'll have to check the battery first, then move to the starter. Thanks guys.

 

Wow, i just got a quote to replace the starter. $590 installed, he said its $390 just for the starter.

 

Take it to a starter shop for a rebuild. Its FAR cheaper.

 

Yah, just started looking through the phone book, thanks for the heads up. I found one online for $140 including the $40 core charge. Hmmm maybe i'll just do it myself next weekend or something.

 

Yeah, i got it done for 40 bucks at a starter shop in Medford when I was visiting there.

The BIG cost was getting the thing REMOVED and the replacement back in. If you can do that... more power to ya! I said screw it and had a shop do it for 200.

 

200 Hundred bucks to replace the starter...WOW.
If I had a friend with a 96-98 3.2TL, I'd replace it for 50 bucks and have it done in about an hour! No joke. Part not included.

 

Takes longer than an hour.. its a pain to get out and put back in.

 

I've done a few. I can do it in about and hour.

 

Really? hmm.. too bad you're in Colorado.

 

Ya, I wish I have more friends with Honda's or Acura's...I'd have a little more money.

 

All the shops i've called say its a 2-3 hour job.

On a positive note, i found a guy who has done this before. He said he puts it up on the lift and gets the back off the starter (silinoid?) then he can bring it back down and replace the contacts. Contacts will run me $5, $50 for the job. I'm a happy camper!!!

 

Yeah, thats what they did for mine.

 

I had the same problem but now it stopped . I didnt replace my starter so who knows.

 

Mine only does it when its cold in the morning. This morning it didn't do it at all. Very odd. Must have something to do with condensation on the contacts or something, corrosion maybe.