Avensis 2003 1.8 auto

[Mad Pensioner]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help with the above.  Several days ago I tried to start the above car, but there was no response from the engine.  The dashboard lights came on as usual, went out when I tried to start it, and I could hear relays clicking, but nothing from the starter motor.  My son came round to help, and suggested charging the Battery, as it was down to 12.2 V.  I left it on charge for several hours, by which time it was showing 12.7 V, but still no response from the starter.

He then removed the ignition switch, following some helpful suggestions from the TOC forum, and earlier today I took it apart and cleaned all the contacts.  They were quite black and greasy, and the copper tracking is a bit black in places after cleaning, but overall it doesn't look too bad.  I then reassembled the switch and put it back in the car.  However, there was still no response at all from the engine when I turned the key to the 'Start' position.

I then remembered something that happened when I unlocked the car (with the remote) just before the first unsuccessful attempt to start it.  My partner got into the front passenger seat while I had a quick look round to make sure there wasn't a flat tyre, but before I could get into the driver's seat, the alarm went off.  I shut it off with the remote without any trouble, but that's when I went to try to start it with no success.  A similar thing had happened about a week previously, with the alarm going off while my partner was sitting in the car waiting for me, but on that occasion the car started as usual.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this, please?  I've never had any starting problems until now, and the starter motor has never shown any indication that it could be playing up.  It does seem to be a bit of a coincidence that all this should happen just after the alarm went off for no apparent reason.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thanks