A problem that stumps my mechanic.
01-16-14, 06:55 PM
#1
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A problem that stumps my mechanic.
My sc430 2002 would not start after sitting 10 days at the airport. I got a jump and it ran good for two months. No problems. I left town for one week and it wouldn't start again. Starter would go click,click,click like when the battery is dead. I charged it again and it ran fine. Then last week I didn't drive it for two days and again click,click,click. I charged the battery, the dash lights light up and then click,click,click. The battery showed 12.5 v. I jumped the battery with my wife's car and it started right up and starts and runs fine.
I took it to the Toyota service and he said there was no parasitic draw on the battery, that the battery was fully charged. He said it could be the starter, but he tried it many times and it worked without fail.
He was stumped that it only failed to start after it had been sitting, but without a parasitic drain.
Another mechanic said it may be the starter and the reason it started with the jump was because it has 24 volts going to it.
Anyone have any ideas? To replace the starter is $800 so I don't want to do it unless I have to,
I took it to the Toyota service and he said there was no parasitic draw on the battery, that the battery was fully charged. He said it could be the starter, but he tried it many times and it worked without fail.
He was stumped that it only failed to start after it had been sitting, but without a parasitic drain.
Another mechanic said it may be the starter and the reason it started with the jump was because it has 24 volts going to it.
Anyone have any ideas? To replace the starter is $800 so I don't want to do it unless I have to,
01-16-14, 07:38 PM
#3
Weak battery
StillLine
01-17-14, 12:00 AM
#5
+1
Agree with other posters to stay away from that mechanic. 24V??? Where did he get that idea?
Generally, if the starter makes one click when you turn the key that means the solenoid on the starter is pulling the starter gear into the fly wheel and closing a contact which delivers voltage to the starter motor.
If the motor doesn't crank the most likely possibility is there is not enough voltage to turn the starter motor. The battery is too weak.
The second possibility is that the brushes are worn on the starter and connection is becoming intermittent. If you want to test this possibility and you can reach the starter give it a whack with a hammer or a hard poke with a stick. If it starts it is probably worn brushes in the motor.
But the fact that it won't start after sitting several days strongly suggests battery dying.
Agree with other posters to stay away from that mechanic. 24V??? Where did he get that idea?
Generally, if the starter makes one click when you turn the key that means the solenoid on the starter is pulling the starter gear into the fly wheel and closing a contact which delivers voltage to the starter motor.
If the motor doesn't crank the most likely possibility is there is not enough voltage to turn the starter motor. The battery is too weak.
The second possibility is that the brushes are worn on the starter and connection is becoming intermittent. If you want to test this possibility and you can reach the starter give it a whack with a hammer or a hard poke with a stick. If it starts it is probably worn brushes in the motor.
But the fact that it won't start after sitting several days strongly suggests battery dying.
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01-17-14, 07:01 AM
#8
Have the battery load tested. Any place that sells batteries should be equipped to do so.
Simply measuring the voltage isn't enough, and, btw, 12.5 v is low.
Like the other posters, I'm voting for the battery. A simple load test should tell. If the battery checks out, then you can have someone test alternator output, check to make sure grounds are secure, check connections at the starter, and so on.
Simply measuring the voltage isn't enough, and, btw, 12.5 v is low.
Like the other posters, I'm voting for the battery. A simple load test should tell. If the battery checks out, then you can have someone test alternator output, check to make sure grounds are secure, check connections at the starter, and so on.
01-17-14, 09:56 AM
#10
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My '02 SC 430 sits for a few weeks at a time with no driving and starts every time. I'm sure it's because of the new battery which was probably installed by the dealer prior to my acquiring it in November.
01-17-14, 10:12 AM
#11
Not unusual for a cell to go bad - sulfating and vibration. Plus, newer batteries don't like to be run down to nothing. It does shorten their life. I ran for nearly two years on a battery with one bad cell. Slow cranking speed and couldn't sit for more than a week without starting. Finally discovered the dry cell (a Lexus battery, not maintenance-free btw), replaced with a nothing-fancy battery from Walmart and zing - amps to spare even on sub-zero days/nights.
01-17-14, 10:42 AM
#12
Next time you get the "Click, click, click" thing. Do this simple test...
Take one boost cable and connect it from the battery neg directly to the engine (I suggest one of the lifting hooks), and try starting the car.
If it starts, it's the engine's grounding strap that is broken. it happened to me once...
Take one boost cable and connect it from the battery neg directly to the engine (I suggest one of the lifting hooks), and try starting the car.
If it starts, it's the engine's grounding strap that is broken. it happened to me once...
