Car will crank once after turning the key but not turn over??
Posted by GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 28 comments
They guys! I have had some weird issues with my car that have been happening now and then and I'm starting to get a bit worried about. I have a 2001 Toyota Corolla Runx z, recently at random times (normally after shorter drives) my car will crank once when I turn the key but won't start up. It does it once or twice then starts an absolute charm with no trouble at all. When I do this it cranks then my lights go dull and the dash lights go off, which it normally does but all much more quick. I also had a weird situation a month or so back where my car showed there was a door open but none of them were, then it randomly disappeared and hasn't turned back on since probably completely unrelated but thought I would chuck that in there. Anyway, I have tested my battery with a multimeter and it's showing 12. So my thoughts so far is • Clogged/dirty fuel injectors? • Battery issue? • Spark plugs? • Starter relay? What's your thoughts on where I should start my troubleshooting or how? Some advice would be really appreciated!
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Hi everyone! It turns out it was the starter motor. Managed to get a second hand one and changed it over, took the told one apart and noticed it had 4x brushes in it and one was completely worn down or potentially could have cracked at some point. Still confuses me to why it would start sometimes and not others. However, this must have been a problem for a while as my car sounds completely different when starting up, really clean!!!!
E90BarberaRed6spdN52@reddit
Get the battery tested at an Advance Auto and they can replace it if needed as a first step. It could be the starter is beginning to fail but you can have the battery tested and eliminate that first.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Battery tested at a shop and it’s absolutely fine in every way. He said it’s likely the starter motor so will take that off and check the brushes! Which would most likely be the problem!
E90BarberaRed6spdN52@reddit
Sounds logical to me. We had an older Lexus that had the original starter in it and it did similar around 142k miles.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
It turns out it was the starter!
D4ydream3r@reddit
What do you mean by crank once? Like when cold it starts fine and after driving it and warmed up, the starter only cranks once?
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Yeah that could be the case! Is does happen more when I’ve gone for a drive. I got the battery tested and he said it’s likely the starter motor, I’m assuming maybe the brushes are worn. I will take it off to have a look. Would you think it could be something else?
D4ydream3r@reddit
Well you mentioned you have a 01 Corolla Runx Z. I think that generation either ran on a 1zz-fe or a 2zz-ge. Either engine is as close to maintenance free from my experience of daily driving and many spirited drives.
So for your battery you mentioned that it has 12v which is OK. Then you have to test your Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) to see if that has diminished over the years. Car batteries on average lasts 3-5 years.
What else? It turns on. How is your alternator? Is the numbers correct while it’s is running?
If it starts and runs fine while cold to operating temp, I highly doubt it has to deal with ignition or fuel.
You mentioned after it’s warmed up after shorter drives, it will crank once and lights dim. This is most likely a sign of bad battery. A strong healthy battery will keep the starter cranking with no lights dimming.
That door sensor acting up could also be a factor in possibly draining your battery. You need to examine that, something could be corroded or loose causing that issue, but most likely that door switch.
What else? If everything checks out and it still cranks once after short drive and no lights dimming then it COULD be starter.
gregsw2000@reddit
Sounds like either A. An issue with the battery cables B. A roasted battery ( these are toast every 2-5 years ) or B. A flat spot on your starter, which is only going to get worse until the car stops starting.
A battery replacement you can easily do yourself with a YouTube video.
A starter is a little bit more involved.
I'd look for a date code on the battery, and if it is older than 3-4 years, I'd just straight up replace it anyway. They cost about $120.
If that doesn't fix it, you've got an issue you need a mechanic for.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Hey! Thanks for your helpful answer I got the battery tested today and it was absolutely fine! He said it’s reading great and it’s only 2 years old. It did the old one crank problem when I was there about 3 times and he said to him, it sounds like the starter. I will take that off and see if the brushes are worn???
Blackbirdrx7@reddit
I'd start with the battery. They only last 3-5 years anyways, easy thing to overlook.Also, battery 12V is probably while you're not cranking. A battery under load is a different thing unfortunately.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Battery is absolutely fine! Got it tested today
TNShadetree@reddit
Buy a new battery, then report back.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Battery is not an issue got that tested today
Epicfacecanada@reddit
First thing to check would be the battery. It showing 12 volts doesn't tell the full story. For resting voltage a fully charged battery should have \~12.6 volts with the key off. Also if you have the multimeter on the battery while the engine is cranking the voltage should stay above 9.5 volts. Another testing option is to take it somewhere with a battery load tester, Most repair shops and auto-parts stores have them.
If that's all good I'd then check that the wiring to the battery is all good and then check out the starter solenoid to see if it's acting up.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Took it to the battery guys today he did several testing and when I started my car it did the one crank he said it sounds like the starter. Might take the starter off and see if the brushes are worn!
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Have done that, it does not drop significantly enough not to start. Will stop off at the battery guy today but I’m 95% sure it’s not the battery as it’s only a couple years old.
CardiologistOk6547@reddit
You've been having a serious problem for a while. It's not getting better. And since you're not mechanically minded, you have done nothing about it. So, of course, ask Reddit for a dozen different possibilities, none of which you have the tools or ability to try out.
Or...
You can take it to a decent mechanic who can fix it for cheaper than you can after jacking with things you are honestly clueless about. And a lot faster, too.
Probably not the comment you wanted. But certainly the comment you need.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
I actually am pretty mechanically minded, why are you on this page if you’re going to refer people to the mechanic lol, not helpful at all. If I wasn’t mechanically minded I wouldn’t understand it is most likely a fuel or power issue. I’ve never taken my cars to the mechanic and have replaced several parts myself. I’m assuming you can tell I’m a woman and probably think I’m clueless.
CardiologistOk6547@reddit
Because people ask questions hoping to get good advice. SOMETIMES the best advice is to seek a professional before you cause yourself more and expensive issues trying to DIY.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Yeah but the problem with your message is that I’m not clueless and I’m more than happy to get the multimeter out and check things as well as take the starter of to check the brushes are alright, I was simply looking for advice to see if anyone had a similar problem and what they thought so I could narrow down my searches. I am not keen on spending money of someone’s labour to replace a fucking part for a 2001 car with a simple motor. Am absolutely not clueless and did not appreciate the comment.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
It’s also pretty hard to take it to a mechanic for them to diagnose something that only happens from time to time.
CardiologistOk6547@reddit
That's why it's called Dignostics instead of Loading The Parts Cannon.
MaximumDerpification@reddit
First place to start is the battery. 12V on the meter doesn't necessarily mean you'll get the correct voltage under load, take the car to Autozone or some other place like that and they'll test the battery health for free.
Does the car make a clicking sound during the failed starting attempts? If so it could be your starter solenoid.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
No clicking sound one crank sound then doesn’t turn over on the second or third starts a charm no issues at all, no slow start or anything
imothers@reddit
I wonder if there is a problem with one of the door switches that turns on the dome light. If that comes on when the car is off, the battery will get drained. It takes a while (hours) but eventually] the battery will be too weak to start the car reliably.
GeneralGiraffe8032@reddit (OP)
Hey! Yeah, it hasn’t been on since that one time it did that. Now it’s off
OutinDaBarn@reddit
It's a 2001. While you are testing the battery look at the cables for corrosion. Not just where they connect to the battery. Corrosion in the cables themselves. Many times the ground cables develop corrosion on the inside of the cable and cause what you are experiencing. Odds are it's just a bad battery.