Avensis Starting Problems

[AdAn]

Hi all,

I recently bought an avensis verso 2002 model, 2.0 ltr engine, auto. About a week ago, having driven about 10 miles or so I stopped the car to let a passenger out and switched off the ignition. Tried to restart after less than 5 mins but nothing happened. When turning the key, all the lights came on and remained bright but there was no cranking, no clicking, nothing. Also noticed that I couldnt shift autmotic gear and the brake had become stiff.

Called the AA man. He checked the Battery, used his volt/amp meter etc, but all was ok. He then figured it was the start motor. He tapped the starter solenoid with a screwdriver/hammer and asked me to turn the key. The car started straight away. His explanation was that the brushes on the starter motor become worn/dirty and so get stuck. The tapping action causes the spark to 'jump' which then causes the car to start. Drove the car few days later and again same thing happened when trying to restart after a journey. Had to tap the starter solenoid to get it going. Tried to start the car last night from cold, same thing happened. So initially it was happening when the car was warm and now even when cold.

Spoke to a local dealer. Price for a new starter motor £275 + £130 for labour :o . Also got quotes from breakersyard for reconditioned SMs for ~£90.

My question is has anyone had a similar problem? Have seen other threads where problem seems to be starter switch. The fact that tapping the solenoid starts the car makes me think that is not the case with mine.

Is it worth putting in a reconditioned SM and is this something a novice like myself can do?

Any help is very much appreciated.

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[timson]

Hi all,

I recently bought an avensis verso 2002 model, 2.0 ltr engine, auto. About a week ago, having driven about 10 miles or so I stopped the car to let a passenger out and switched off the ignition. Tried to restart after less than 5 mins but nothing happened. When turning the key, all the lights came on and remained bright but there was no cranking, no clicking, nothing. Also noticed that I couldnt shift autmotic gear and the brake had become stiff.

Called the AA man. He checked the battery, used his volt/amp meter etc, but all was ok. He then figured it was the start motor. He tapped the starter solenoid with a screwdriver/hammer and asked me to turn the key. The car started straight away. His explanation was that the brushes on the starter motor become worn/dirty and so get stuck. The tapping action causes the spark to 'jump' which then causes the car to start. Drove the car few days later and again same thing happened when trying to restart after a journey. Had to tap the starter solenoid to get it going. Tried to start the car last night from cold, same thing happened. So initially it was happening when the car was warm and now even when cold.

Spoke to a local dealer. Price for a new starter motor £275 + £130 for labour :o . Also got quotes from breakersyard for reconditioned SMs for ~£90.

My question is has anyone had a similar problem? Have seen other threads where problem seems to be starter switch. The fact that tapping the solenoid starts the car makes me think that is not the case with mine.

Is it worth putting in a reconditioned SM and is this something a novice like myself can do?

Any help is very much appreciated.

AdAn

Almost certain to be the ignition switch. If it was the starter motor, the lights would have gone out as the switch was turned. just done mine £55 from Mr T and 30 mins work. Try the key a few times and see.

[AdAn]

AdAn

Almost certain to be the ignition switch. If it was the starter motor, the lights would have gone out as the switch was turned. just done mine £55 from Mr T and 30 mins work. Try the key a few times and see.

Hi Timson, thanks for feedback.

Did you let Mr T diagnose the problem or did you ask them to change the switch only? I have tried turning the key a few times but that did not make any difference. The fact that tapping the starter solenoid gets it going makes me think it is that component and not the switch. All the lights do stay bright when turning the key so a bit confusing

[timson]

Did the dianosisand the work myself. Try keeping the key hard over in the start position, if this does'nt work, the Very Very nice man could be right.

[tracker2]

Did the dianosisand the work myself. Try keeping the key hard over in the start position, if this does'nt work, the Very Very nice man could be right.

Because hitting the motor cures the problem it may not be the ignition switch. It maybe the starter solenoid, it this gets jammed it won't move to engage the starter and won't connect power to the motor, therefore the lights won't go dim. It may also be a poor connection at the solenoid. Try removing the small wire connection at the motor clean it up and replace it. If in doubt cut the end off the wire and crimp a new end on.

Regards

[AdAn]

Did the dianosisand the work myself. Try keeping the key hard over in the start position, if this does'nt work, the Very Very nice man could be right.

Timson, did the key thing, but no success, so I think problem is downstream of it.

Because hitting the motor cures the problem it may not be the ignition switch. It maybe the starter solenoid, it this gets jammed it won't move to engage the starter and won't connect power to the motor, therefore the lights won't go dim. It may also be a poor connection at the solenoid. Try removing the small wire connection at the motor clean it up and replace it. If in doubt cut the end off the wire and crimp a new end on.

Regards

Tracker2, will try cleaning the connection this eveniong to see if that helps. If it is the solenoid I guess that the entire starter motor assembly will have to be replaced and not just the solenoid? I was considering a reconditioned SM, do you know if this is something that can be easily done or is this a job only for the mechanic?

Many thanks.

[AdAn]

Hi all,

Just to keep you posted on my starting problems.

Having convinced myself the problem was with the SM, i got a couple of quotes for a reconditioned SM via http://www.247spares.co.uk. Purchased one for £94 inc VAT & next day delivery plus 3 mth warranty.

Started the replacement this mornining and was finished with in an hour. Quite straightforward. Main thing that slows you down is getting access to the two bolts and enough elbow room to remove the SM which requires a bit of fiddling. Had to remove Battery and its tray, but the base on which the tray sits is welded to the chasis and so cant be removed. The job would have been complete in half the time if this could be removed (bad design possibly to deter ppl so they take vehicles to dealer IMO!). The replacement was installed pretty quickly. Once all the nuts and bolts were in place and Battery intalled & secured, turned the ignition and then ................................a short 'sweet' cranking sound followed by engine starting smoothly...phew! .

I had a bit of scare before i started when one digit on the reconditioned SM model number was different to the faulty one in my car. Phoned up a local dealer and obtained the part number for SM for my vehicle. The number they gave me matched the reconditioned SM and also told me that this model supersedes the faulty one in my car. So bit of a relief.

Therefore something which looked like costing me ~£420, was completed in £94 plus invaluable experience.

Timson & tracker2 thanks for your input. Hope this post is of use to others.

[timson]

Good news! Nothing more satisfying than sorting a problem out,and a bonus when the cost is not as bad as first feared.

[tracker2]

Good news! Nothing more satisfying than sorting a problem out,and a bonus when the cost is not as bad as first feared.

Been away so couldn't reply sooner. Glad you managed to sort it out and save yourself a lot of cash

Regards

[mkapten]

Hi all,

Just to keep you posted on my starting problems.

Having convinced myself the problem was with the SM, i got a couple of quotes for a reconditioned SM via http://www.247spares.co.uk. Purchased one for £94 inc VAT & next day delivery plus 3 mth warranty.

Started the replacement this mornining and was finished with in an hour. Quite straightforward. Main thing that slows you down is getting access to the two bolts and enough elbow room to remove the SM which requires a bit of fiddling. Had to remove Battery and its tray, but the base on which the tray sits is welded to the chasis and so cant be removed. The job would have been complete in half the time if this could be removed (bad design possibly to deter ppl so they take vehicles to dealer IMO!). The replacement was installed pretty quickly. Once all the nuts and bolts were in place and Battery intalled & secured, turned the ignition and then ................................a short 'sweet' cranking sound followed by engine starting smoothly...phew! .

I had a bit of scare before i started when one digit on the reconditioned SM model number was different to the faulty one in my car. Phoned up a local dealer and obtained the part number for SM for my vehicle. The number they gave me matched the reconditioned SM and also told me that this model supersedes the faulty one in my car. So bit of a relief.

Therefore something which looked like costing me ~£420, was completed in £94 plus invaluable experience.

Timson & tracker2 thanks for your input. Hope this post is of use to others.

Hello! I have the same problem with a 1998 Toyota Avensis. If it is cold or humidity, usually at morning the car can't start working. The starter turns, but nothing. Only after a lot of efforts and if only i am lucky i can use my car. I think that i have the same problem with you and i would like to know that does SM means. I hope if i change that part, my car should be ok again!

[timson]

SM =Starter Motor