# Shakes and Shudders

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** corolla, starters, engines, toyota\
**Created:** [July 13, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768 "2010-07-13T14:58:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLA_SCOTT)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768/1 "2010-07-13T14:58:57Z")

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Hi there everyone. Ok so, when I try to start my car in the morning or after its been sitting for a while, the engine seems to shake and shudder and then it just doesn’t start. The second time I try I give it a little gas and turn the key longer and it starts. I tried a few fuel additives but that seemed to do nothing. Any thoughts??

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768/2 "2010-07-13T15:03:44Z")

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How many miles on the odometer?  
Is the Check Engine Light illuminated?  
When was the last time that you changed the spark plugs, plug wires, air filter, and fuel filter?

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**Author:** ![COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLA_SCOTT)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768/3 "2010-07-13T15:08:04Z")

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About 119,000 miles. The check engine light is not on. And Im not sure when/if the plug wires/fuel filter were changed, but I know the air filter and spark plugs were recently changed…during inspection in April I think.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768/4 "2010-07-13T15:16:39Z")

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Try this: Turn the key to “ON,” wait 5-10 seconds, then turn the key to “START.”

Let us know if this makes any difference.

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**Author:** ![COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLA_SCOTT)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768/5 "2010-07-13T16:11:17Z")

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Alrighty, I’ll try that Tomorrow morning and get back to you asap. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@COROLLA\_SCOTT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLA_SCOTT)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shakes-and-shudders/51768/6 "2010-07-17T01:31:02Z")

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Hey sorry for the delayed reponse, I know you all are waiting on the edge of your seats to find out the status of my corolla haha. MCPARADISE, thanks a bunch for your input! When I do what you said my car starts the first time I try! It still shudders a bit but definately starts first time. That is definately an improvement. But I feel I should still look into new filters and spark plug wires. Thanks again!