I have a Toyota Corrolla XLD (2 Litre Diesel). It's an absolutely amazing car, never given me problems. But recently I have had starting problems. I have shown it to 2 mechanics and and spent a lot of money trying to get it fixed but the problem persists.
On the first mechanics insistence I changed the battery and the starter motor. The second mechanic made me change the starter motor again. But the problem is still there. The problem is like this. The car starts fine if the engine is warm, but a cold start in the morning it does not start at all. When the ignition is given there is a clicking sound but does not turn the engine. One observation I made is that when the mechanic shorts the terminal on the starter motor and sparks it a bit, the ignition is fine.

Can anyone help me with this problem ?

Dushant, August 2007

The part of the ignition switch that sends power to the starter motor seems to have failed.It sounds exactly the same as what happened to my Toyota.A new switch is very expensive and you end up with two different keys for ignition and doors.I fixed it for £8 by running a wire directly from the live side of the battery via a 10 amp fuse,to a push button(from any motor DIY store) and from there tee-ed into the live wire to the starter motor.Turn on the ignition,push the button and bingo.

Chris S., March 2011

Dunno if u still have this problem...

Here's what u can do, first of all a toyota corrolla's starter is vulnerable to the heat emitted from the powerful engine, plus you have a 2 litre, which should be super powerful.

First service the starter whereby u change the Bendex drive ( the little gear like piece that connects to the engine and twists to start it) they wear out after a couple of years on toyota's. Then connect a relay to your starter so that it doesnt burn out too quickly... this is actually the problem...

Because the ignition is built to send so much power through to the starter , the starter wire burns faster and the bendex drive is given too much power to start the engine with, this therefore wears it out sooner. with the relay in it... less power and new bendex drive.... car will start great... and also check ur ignition switches ( assuming the mechanics didnt already do this)

Hope that helps

Chris VS, March 2008

Dunno if u still have this problem...

Here's what u can do, first of all a toyota corrolla's starter is vulnerable to the heat emitted from the powerful engine, plus you have a 2 litre, which should be super powerful.

First service the starter whereby u change the Bendex drive ( the little gear like piece that connects to the engine and twists to start it) they wear out after a couple of years on toyota's. Then connect a relay to your starter so that it doesnt burn out too quickly... this is actually the problem...

Because the ignition is built to send so much power through to the starter , the starter wire burns faster and the bendex drive is given too much power to start the engine with, this therefore wears it out sooner. with the relay in it... less power and new bendex drive.... car will start great... and also check ur ignition switches ( assuming the mechanics didnt already do this)

Hope that helps

Chris VS, March 2008