Well i just started noticing my car wouldn't start after a turn or 2 when i first try to start it up in the morning. its been reoccuring for the past week. Just turn the key and no click or nothing. radio is all fine and working. Looked like the symptom of the starter from other threads. But today after trying to start up the car for the first time today. The car started up fine but then it made a really horrible loud clicking noise. I tried to turn off the car, but it seems like the starter is still trying to start up the car. It seems to be locked in. The car wouldn't shut off. Anyone have this problem or know what it might be?

 

How old is your battery? How many miles? have you had a tune up on the car?

 

My car currently has 108k on it with all the maintenance up to date. Battery probably has about 15k on it. No aftermarket stereo system to be overloading it.

 

sounds more serious than a battery. sounds like your solenoid is sticking and/or worn out.

 

Yea it sounds like it was locked and couldn't stop cranking...eventho the engine started there was a very disturbing rattling noise. Tried to shut off the car by turning the key into off position and it still wanted to crank. then just poppped it back onto on and the car just turns on still with the rattling noise. I finally got it unstuck or something by just recranking it. Seems to be fine as of now again... I'll get more feedback from my car by tommorow... But first time that this ever happened to me.

 

Any word on what the problems was?????

 

I haven't had the issue checked up yet..... but ever since that day its been go'n good so far. I think somehow that bad fixed the problem or something...i'll keep an update.

 

I have seen this problem more than once on Toyota products. This shows up mostly in the morning when there is moisture present.

The starter solenoid (switch) atop the starter probably has a hairline crack that allows moisture to enter inside. Then when the starter is actuated, the mositure has a bridge to allow current flow to continue between the voltage source and the pull-in coil.

Turning off the key does no good, nor does removing the starter relay from the relay box under the hood. The starter is still turning while the engine is running. The starter could possibly burn up this way. The grinding noise is the starter gear meshing with the moving ring gear on the flywheel. This will cause damage eventually. Until I got it fixed I would disconnect the battery at night

The starter will do this at anytime, so it is adviseable to change the starter at your earliest opportunity. Since Toyota does not sell the solenoid separately anymore, you will have to trade in the starter for a new one.

GOOD LUCK!

GSEREP1

 

BINGO! seems like you hit the spot of what i was describing.