I have a 1999 Toyota Corolla.
Recently I’ve been having what I believe to be starter problems. When I go to start my car, it will click but it won’t turn over. If I turn the key really quick and multipul times (1 turn per sec rather than turn key and hold for 3 sec), then the car will start. I wanted to change the starter out a while ago, but I found that I did not have the adequet tools to reach the last bolt to remove the starter, so instead we removed the after-manufacturer car alarm system. I drove my car for about a week.
Hurricane Faye Hit but did no damage–there was just 2 1/2 full days of rain.
Just yesterday as I’m leaving work, I start my car. It doesn’t start the first time, so I click it a few times before it starts to run. Only, this time it makes a funny noise sounding kind-of like a loose belt. I figure, maybe if I drive it to the other side of the parking lot the noise will go away. The noise didn’t go away, so I put the car in park, removed the key from the ignition and the car continued to run, only it sounded more like a grinding chug. I figure “crap! that’s not supposed to happen” so as I’m calling AAA to figure out if I can get a tow to the nearest mechanic, the car slows it’s chug to a halt and then quite a bit of smoke excapes from underneath my hood. I called the fire dept out, but the fire was extinguished by the time they got there. When they opened the hood, they said that it smelt like an electrical fire.
What’s wrong with my car???
I am thinking it to would be the starter relay or soleniod. If the relay or solenoid malfunctioned in could prevent it from working properly (failure to start the first time) the final part could be explained by the starter being fully engaged by the soleniod not releasing. If the solenoid did not release the starter would have been running the whole time as you drove across the parking lot, the starter uses the most electric of any single part of the car, if it is ran long enough it will cause the wires on the battery, alternator and the starter to get very hot. perhaps to a melting point. Another thought that it may be a defective ignition switch. I’d check the wires between the battery and starter, battery and ground and the wire from the alternator and the battery for any damaged insulation from heat. If all looks okay pull the starter out and have it tested at Autozone or Advanced Auto. It could be the starter motor burned up from being stuck. Does the car still run or try to start? Another note, make sure that you properly removed the aftermarket security system some security systems have a starter lock out and/or a remote start system, this too could be a culprit.