Intermittent issue of the engine not cranking?

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA
231,000 MILES • 1.8L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BUYRITEAUTO21
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  • 31 POSTS
Sometimes when I turn the key on my car, it won't turn over. I'll try again using the same motion right away and it will turn over. One time I even heard a spinning sound come when I started the car. These are intermittent and only happens about once per day. Is this my starter beginning to fail?

Thanks
Aug 2, 2022 at 6:47 PM
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AL514
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 5,476 POSTS
Hello, it could be the starter motor beginning to fail, are you hearing any clicking noise when it won't start? Other possibilities are the starter relay (ST Relay), the Ignition Switch, the Park/Neutral Position switch assembly.
For a day, try starting it in Neutral with your foot on the Brakes. If you have no problems all day, then it might be the Park/Neutral switch. The only way to really verify it's the Starter Motor is to check for power at the Starter when the fault is happening. But trying the Neutral trick will rule out the switch. Also check that your Battery terminal connections are not corroded.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit
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Aug 2, 2022 at 10:14 PM