starting problem

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 22:19
ThreadID: 89005 Views:1785 Replies:7 FollowUps:6
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hi all,

my motorhome a toyota cressida (lol) has just developed a problem. When you turn the ignition it doesn't start. you get the click sound. I thought it was battery (always take two) so i swapped it out and out another in. A few starts later the same problem. Nearly called NRMA but being an IT bloke i know when a user has a problem you walk up to help and the problem is no longer there. So i had a think. went back to car and turned on headlights. They were fine. I then tried the ignition again and it started? The motorhome now has this problem consistently (every 2nd or third start) . I am not too worried and as i have found turn the key again (occasionally a few times) and it starts. (sometimes i put it in neutral and back to park and try again. (this may or may not be the fix, it may have started just because of multiple tries.), but i do drive to lots of remote areas, and in a weeks time i will be living permanently on the road.(a little bit worried one day it will just say NO)

It is an auto and yes it is in park when trying to start. The problem has only started happening since returning from sth coast, I did drive through 100 metre wide river (shallow crossing, nelligen) twice, whilst bush bashing looking for a lost gold mine.), i had it serviced a week before last trip.

Only other thing was in service got mechanic to remove on fuse as i was constantly getting a flat battery every 3 days. Yet the battery is FULL when trying to start. And it has not leaked since service.

Any ideas? starter motor? coil?

cheers in advance.......


peter


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Reply By: Ruffy-Dan - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 22:50

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 22:50
Hi Peter,
Sounds verey much like you have a starter motor issue. Most lkely poor contacts in the solenoid, how ever there's a good chance with it's age it would benefit from a rebuild.

Dan
AnswerID: 464937

Follow Up By: stoney123 - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 12:11

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 12:11
tks Dan,

did not know about a solenoid. i am IT dude. will give that a try......cheers
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FollowupID: 738902

Reply By: lancie49 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 23:47

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 23:47
Getting stuff wet on a vehicle that is not designed to have wet stuff can give you weird problems.

Possibly Neutral/Start switch ?
AnswerID: 464942

Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 06:45

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 06:45
Hi Peter. As Dan said. More likely to be the starter motor. They rely on the internal brushes to have a good contact. Next time it won't start try tapping the starter motor. If it starts then that is the most likely cause. Cheers,Bob.

AnswerID: 464944

Follow Up By: stoney123 - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 11:33

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 11:33
top tip bob, i am used to hammering alternator on other cars. will give it a try. cheers
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FollowupID: 738899

Reply By: Roughasguts - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 08:32

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 08:32
Yes get a starter motor and be done with it! I replaced mine in the Pajero a few months ago same symptoms until one day zero!!!!! so Bought a new starter motor from Bursons $127.00 undid 2 bolts one nut and a clip and now all Good.

Cheers
AnswerID: 464951

Follow Up By: Roughasguts - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 08:33

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 08:33
Mind you still could be the ignition switch burning out!

Cheers.
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FollowupID: 738886

Follow Up By: stoney123 - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 12:17

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 12:17
tks Roughy,

The price you got was VERY good. now identified as a starter problem i checked prices. (will check bursons) one poor basted in a Berlina had to pay $1000 for a new starter motor (ouch). And one bloke paid 2.5 hours on diagnosis (ripped off)

Bugger about the ignition switch !!

Found link which says a mechanic has a test which can tell instantly which part at fault. I Will google that a it more to see what the test is!!

thanks again...
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FollowupID: 738904

Reply By: sweetwill - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 09:30

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 09:30
hello stoney.
im no help with the starter. But did you find the gold mine, as i lived at shallow crossing and we went to most of the mines around there at one time or another they are on private property now so it is hard to just walk in Bill.
AnswerID: 464956

Follow Up By: stoney123 - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 12:08

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 12:08
Billl,

Yep found one of the mines, it was the one which had the steam engine and huge crusher. The mine is in the state forest. ( i have the good maps and a state forest fossickers licence). Why would you leave a good place like that? you could canoe to the steampacket!!


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FollowupID: 738901

Follow Up By: sweetwill - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 15:01

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 15:01
stoney.
there were times we would take the boat to the old steampacket then walk to the new one up the road it was a good life.
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FollowupID: 739041

Reply By: oz doc - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 16:00

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 16:00
Hi Stoney,hope you solve the problem. My car is doing exactly the same. First mechanic said ignition ring(the metal ring around the barrell where the key goes in). Replaced part - problem solved for 1 month. Doing same again, took it to Holden- they couldn't find fault and said they 'think' it is the "drive train module" and suggest I pay $600 to replace it and see if that fixes the problem. I don't think so. Moving shift from park to neutral also works for me. I was wondering if it could be a faulty tp switch but as I only drive locally with this car I have decided not to spend any more money until it wont start at all and hopefully the real problem can be found and sorted. Let me know how you get on with the ignition coil check. cheers, doc.
AnswerID: 464995

Reply By: Member - Jim - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 18:13

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 18:13
Stoney 123,

It is quite a common problem with Landcruisers of the older variety.
Replace the two copper bushes in the solenoid contactor and it will be fixed.
These used to cost about $20 from an auto electrician or probably a bit more from Toyota.
They are two circular contacts held in place by a screw each, the challenge is to get them as flat as possible with the appropriate amount of tension on the screws as the other face contacts them when the key is turned. This is the clicking sound you are hearing without a decent face to provide the power for the starter to turn.

Regards,
Jim
AnswerID: 465001

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