No power after car sat for three days

Tiny
MARK YOSHINAGA
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 217,000 MILES
I let the car sit for 3 days. Was going to change the water pump but decided not to. Went to start the car and nothing. I replace the battery and nothing. Radio still works at full power, headlights work. I didn’t touch anything prior to starting. Can it be the starter relay? And if so where is it located?
Monday, February 10th, 2020 AT 5:24 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,119 POSTS
Here is a walk through guide

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/water-pump-replacement

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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
MARK YOSHINAGA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you, It is an automatic.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,119 POSTS
Okay. Check to see if it will start in neutral. Also, make sure the back up lights turn on when it is in reverse.

Next, have you checked the fuses I mentioned above? Is there any noise from the starter when first engaged such as a click or bang?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
MARK YOSHINAGA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay. Will do when I get home.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
MARK YOSHINAGA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Reverse lights come on. These fuses look good I checked them. The starter makes no noise. I’ll check the other steps soon.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,119 POSTS
If the reverse lights are working, then the linkage doesn't sound like an issue, but the sensor may have failed. Try starting it in neutral. Also, try this link to see if there is power to the starter:

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

Let me know.
Joe
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
MARK YOSHINAGA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Finally had time to undo the starter and took it to a auto shop and they tested it as good. I went home and was going to pull the starter relay but I decided to reinstall the starter first and try it and poof the starter works fine now. Maybe if I just hit the starter with a rubber mallet first maybe it was stuck for some reason, then it came to me I replaced the starter one year ago. It's called old age. Lol
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,119 POSTS
Hi Mark. Old age? I know the feeling. LOL Hey, if it is working now, I suspect it was a connection issue. Regardless, I'm glad to hear it's up and running again for you. Please feel free to come back any time you have questions.

Take care and happy starting!

Joe
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:50 PM

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