I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. My high-mile 99 ES will not start in cold weather. All lights come on with ignition on but only a click is issued when key is turned to start. Moving gear selector to neutral and back to park usually only results in a click while all lights dim and then return to lighted fashion. Sometimes, I can move selector back and forth two or three times and starter will engage. Usually, when colder, it takes ten or fifteen attempts. After car is warmed and driven there are no further issues. Only when it sits a few hours and completely cools down will I have this problem. Starter and battery are fine and there is no hesitation when starter finally engages. A check engine light indicating throttle control has been noted, though I wonder if this could be any of the starter problem. The car starts fine, never hesitates or misses and runs completely smoothly after initial start...warm or cold weather. I wondered if it could be a neutral control switch but can't see why cold weather could cause this. Is there some kind of transmission switch that could be out of sinc or adversely affected by cold weather. Appreciate any thoughts on this.
Codger

 

moved to correct place!

 

I had this issue. Its likely the contact points in the solenoid (in the starter). The solenoid takes the low current from the key and switches massive current volume on - to the starter. Contacts are 'carboned' up. It will get hard and harder to start, until eventually it just doesn't. The massive current drain is electricity trying to leap through carbon build up.

My starter did this for a while until it failed 'on' and could not be turned off.

 

Start with the basics. Have the battery load tested, simply checking the voltage does not indicate a good battery. Next check connections at the the battery. Dirty or loose connections add resistance and will cause weak or no crank issues,

 

ES300NZ, Thanks for your correct input to my 'cold start' problem. Everything you described in your reply was correct. I replaced the starter and have had no more problems. Appreciate your time and explanation. Codger

 

... it was the lights dimming that clued me up to it being the same issue. So glad that you're sorted.