Starter not working

Tiny
REYPREZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,500 MILES
Car will start in the morning, after driving it for 14 miles and engine off for 30 minutes, it will not start, lights are all working but it will not start. I can hear a clicking sound when I turn on the switch and a short faint starting sound but will not start. It will only start if I will use a jumper cable attach to a car battery of another car. I can use it for the day and will turn on every time but it will be the same situation the next day.
Friday, October 24th, 2014 AT 6:36 AM

26 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
It sounds like a problem with either the battery or the alternator. Take the vehicle to a parts store and have both tested. Let me know what you find.
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Friday, October 24th, 2014 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
KOLA671
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA
When ignition is switched to start, there is a whirring noise and the engine won't start. It started earlier, but as I was driving, you could hear the whirring sound. I shut off the car to put gas. When I started up again, it didn't turn all the way the first time, so I did it again and it wouldn't start. The noise sounds like the noise you would hear if you were to turn the ignition again when the engine is already running.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
It sounds like the starter motor bendix drive has broken. You may need to replace the starter motor. Have it checked to verify

Roy
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KOLA671
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had the starter checked and they say it is still good. It seems that the gear that pops out to start the flywheel isn't coming out far enough to catch onto the flywheel. Would you recommend just replacing the entire starter or replacing the starter bendix? What would be easier to do?
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GARYROSO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 208,000 MILES
Wont start, tried jump starting, tried removing cables from battery and jump starting, won't turn over at all. Lights work ac works everything works. Turn the key and you get a clicking noise from under dash fuse panel.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the battery is too dead it will not jump or the starter can be bad these guides will help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GARYROSO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Pulled the starter relay but that looks ok too. Not sure how to reset security, the light on the dash goes out when you insert the key and starts to blink when you remove it. Going to head out now to have the battery tested.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GARYROSO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Had battery checked, ok, still looking for security reset although the dash light goes out when you insert key. Gave starter a little tap and got it to turn over, very little.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try this.
Put the key in the ignition, and turn forward
all the way just before cranking. Then within
5 seconds, locate, press and hold in the
valet/overide button, found under the
dash area, (push button, spring loaded)
until the installed LED (the blinking light)
in your dash area goes on solid,
and the siren chirps once.

(Your valet switch might be the toggle
(on/off) type. In this case, key on,
flip switch in opposite direction,
then turn the key off.)

This should reset the alarm, and reset
the grounded relay on the starter wire,
allowing you to start the engine.

At this point, the only thing working would
be the keyless entry from the alarm,
if it came equipped that way.

Just Repeat these steps to place it
back to usable armed mode.
You may get 2 chirps, confirming it,
and the lights may flash twice as well.

That should do it.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GARYROSO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I found out the satere was bad by using the guides cost me $122.00 for the starter thanks you very much
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JENSEN.JAMES44
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 210,000 MILES
I have a 2000 toyota seinna and it rained today. I parked in the garage tuened it off and
went to grab something and when I tried to start it it only clicked. I have cleaned the
terimanals and changed the starter pos cable now only blinking lights and clicking.I have
tried to jump start it with a battery charger and the batt is charged and still nothing?
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Load test the battery could be sulfated, also check the alternator if its producing the correct output voltages-if all okay here start checking the starter motor, starter relay, transmission range switch and ignition switch -Double check connections
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAILORSBRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 195,000 MILES
Attempted to start van last night - starter runs but doesn't catch. Battery was replaced during summer with high cold crank amp battery. Live in metro Atlanta - not cold, but rained all day yesterday. Haven't had this problem previously, but think maybe it's moisture related?

Check engine light is on (and has been for >2 years). Have had codes pulled - appears to be one of the O2 sensors. Don't remember which one - but haven't had the $$ to replace.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Suspect starter motor pinion gear not engaging flywheel. Need to pull starter have tested most likely replaced
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAILORSBRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I've been going over what I had to do to get it started this morning. When I put the key in the ignition and turned it to ON, the lights in the car came on normally. The starter sounded like it was cranking normally, but didn't catch. I got irritated and pumped the gas pedal as I continued to turn the key. It sounded like it wanted to catch, but didn't. I pumped the gas hard, almost continually (was actually worried I might flood it) and finally it caught and started.

Once started, I did not notice anything out of the ordinary with it.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Next time won't start see if acessory belts are turning. If yess need to check for spark at plugs. Also have codes read and post
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAILORSBRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
One other thing: I put the van in neutral after attempting to start it the first time, and rolled it a (very) short ways. I think I finally got it started while it was still in neutral, but I'm not positive about that.

I really don't want to replace the starter! Can you tell?
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If the starter is not catching, it would be cranking with very high speed and there would be a meshing noise as the starter grinds against the flywheel.

What you are experiencing should be the starter is turning the engine but it is not firing up. You need to verify if it is fuel or sparks that is missing causing the non starting.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FARAZ123
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 123,000 MILES
I have a 3.0L V6 and the starters gone bad. I removed all the electrical connections and the two bolts holding the starter in place. Even after all this the starter still will not budge. I have tried whacking it with a hammer, moving the car while it is in gear (D on an auto transmission) and the starter still will not budge at all. Any suggestions on how to take it off? I feel like I have tried everything. Thanks!
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 10:30 AM (Merged)

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