Car Cranking Problem ? Pls. help.?

Question

1999 Corolla.

I am having trouble starting (CRANKING) the car after its been parked for some Hours esp..when its a bit Cold. I have to turn the key 4 or 5 times to get it cranked.
I only hear some "click" noise from the front of the car when I bring Key from "ON" to "Start"..I believe that means its not cranking properly.

After the first time, it becomes easier n easier later to crank.. .
but again after being parked for some hours makes the problem surface again :(

Please note:
1) I changed Battery with max.Cold cranking Amps - didnt solve.
2) Starter & Alternator tests turned out OK at the Advance Auto Parts - free testing.
3) changed spark plugs, did Fuel Injector cleanup.
4) After starting once, no problems whatsoever with anything else.
5) When I'm unsuccessfully turning the key, the Oil check, Battery symbols come up in the dashboard.

Does anyone have an Idea what could be the problem ?
Thanks.

To those who say starter has problem,

I did the free Alternator/Starter testing in Auto Parts Store..
they said the reading is Fine & Ok !!!.

Pls. elaborate if possible.

thanks every1 for your answers.
I'm VERY new to Cars.

Arnon, it wasnt a diagnosis. it was done with a Reading meter, and the starter results showed "ok" in that...but I'll keep your point in mind..

I dont want to go to the mechanic with no idea at all.. already spent money on the spark plugs & battery :(

just 1 detail i had left out.... this problem happens when its COLD in the mornings mostly.... when its low 50s here.
later in the day Or after its been running for a while, it Cranks ok.

SOLUTION::

It was a problem with Starter Motor and the Cables to it.
This has fixed the problem, and hopefully it stays fixed :)

Answer 1

Replace the starter.

Ok. Change the non-functioning when you try to start, starter.
I don't give two hoots and a holler for an auto parts salesman's diagnosis. From your description, if it is honest and accurate, your starter brushes are worn down and making a crappy connection to the armature commutator. Very common death of a starter.
If you ask for advice, take what's given or leave it. Don't try to argue us into a different response.

Answer 2

I should say "buy american next time". OK...looks like I already did.
A lot of electrical problems are caused by dirty, loose, or corroded connections especially after a car gets over 6 or 7 years old. Let's face it, it spends the biggest majority of it's life outdoors in the elements. If all the components are checking out O.K., then I'd start checking the wiring harness connections and grounds. A dirty, loose or corroded connection makes a high resistance for electricity to flow through.
Also, if you turn the key and are unsuccessful starting the engine, if the key is still "on" the oil check, battery and other indicator lights will be on...this is normal. They will go off after the engine starts.

Answer 3

first of all our buddy "arnon" shouldnt knock the parts sales peeps at the advance. i work there and i will tell you, my starter is going out and it tests fine also. the starter has to malfunction during the test or it will test fine. however, sometimes after your electrical parts cool down they will conduct less efficiently (especially if you have a bad or loose connection) try turning the key to the on position and letting it sit for about 30 seconds to a minute, this gets the electrical current going on all your electrical parts and starts to warm them up before you put a load on them by cranking the car (its the same basic principle as letting your car warm up before you put a load on it by driving). this probably wont help much if at all but you can try. also you can try parking your car at advance for a few hours while you go out with friends or something and come back and have it tested when you know it will not start. by the way, you warning lights should come on for a second or two everytime you try to start your car, its really just to let you know they are functioning properly.

Answer 4

I have 1992 Corolla and exactly the same problem! Please post your solution when it gets fixed!

Cold morning after parking outside overnight, no crank! Jumping and inject some easy start gas to the air filter, keep turning the key, eventually cranking, but no start, step on the gas and cranking for a while, started! Any other time, starts easily and runs well.

Answer 5

Sounds like the starter solenoid is going bad if you get a clicking noise when trying to start. Or loose/corroded cable connections. Check the connections to it first to see if they are loose or corroded especially the large cable running from the starter/solenoid to the battery....could just be a poor connection.

Answer 6

Starter relay could be sticking usually located on the wheel well along with the fuel relay.
Just a plug in box about 2 inches big could be carboned up.

Answer 7

appears to be starter problem. Some intermittent faults with the starter may not show up in a normal test.

To be sure something is not draining the battery, suggest to disconnect battery overnight,if problem then still exists ,I would say you have eliminated that potental problem

Answer 8

check to make sure all connections are tight, no loose wire connections,check fuel system,oil/ battery light usually only when you first start, but should go out,if remains on, check oil level,battery light? maybe bad cell in battery,there are a number of things that can be the problem. good luck

Answer 9

hello, i have seen many of thses cases and each time turned to be the same reason which the main wire to the starter is loose, the starter is good but the wire is loose

Answer 10

the starter is bad it has a bad armiture