Starting issues?

[HungusMaximist]

First off I just like to mention this is for an automatic Toyota Estima Van, hehe.

Yesterday the starter motor wasn't going so I started going through the gears a bit and the starter would go for a few seconds until it dies off. Thing is, now the starter is going now but the engine isn't turning over. Now I am quite sure the battery is all good, because all the electrics work in the van, plus I had the starter going for a good 3 secs.

The starter is going but not sure if it's going at 100% because I was having the starter motor going for a good 3 seconds and realised I shouldn't go any further because there's a burning smell coming from the Van.

I've tried hitting the starter with my hammer however I am even sure if I am hitting the right part as it was doing it in the dark.

Now just to mention, this has happened before, but it only played now again. I had a suggestion to take it to an auto electrician.

Tips?

[awayatc]

If you can't fix it with a hammer it must be an electrical problem.....

Hit it again....

Real hard

[Max Preload]

I'd be looking at the transmission inhibitor switch. Check for power at the starter solenoid signal lead with it disconnected and someone holding the ignition key on START.

[Freeatlast]

If you can't fix it with a hammer it must be an electrical problem.....

Hit it again....

Real hard

Obviously the problem is ...you need a BIGGER hammer. Hit it hard enough, a new starter WILL be necessary. Problem solved. maybe

[HungusMaximist]

I'd be looking at the transmission inhibitor switch. Check for power at the starter solenoid signal lead with it disconnected and someone holding the ignition key on START.

I am not too clued up what's actually what I am looking for as I don't look inside the Van. However if you can explain it further that would be great.

If you can't fix it with a hammer it must be an electrical problem.....

Hit it again....

Real hard

Yea, I wasn't really sure I was hitting the right part as I was doing it in the dark. It was connected to some belt and it had some metal brushes inside though.

The other problem is that there is hardly any space for me to hit it with the hammer. It was merely just tapping it! Plus, what the whole deal with hitting your starter with a hammer? Is it a miracle technique?

I will try and check the battery fluid after Uni tomorrow, but pretty sure the battery is good.

Help?

[FJRider]

Automatics will only start (in normal circumstances) in either "park" or "neutral". The burning smell maybe one of the wires to either of those gear positions shorting out. Or the starter motor cooking ... Find an auto-electrician sooner, rather than later. Otherwise a serious meltdown may occur. Unless you are fully insured and can afford the excess at this time... in which case, go right ahead and try fixing/fiddling with it.

[rosie631]

Yea, I wasn't really sure I was hitting the right part as I was doing it in the dark. It was connected to some belt and it had some metal brushes inside though.

The other problem is that there is hardly any space for me to hit it with the hammer. It was merely just tapping it! Plus, what the whole deal with hitting your starter with a hammer? Is it a miracle technique?

Don't quote me but I had a car that wouldn't start periodically. I think it is the solenoid that you TAP. Trying to knock it off the dead spot. Rocking it in gear does the same thing. Please correct me if I'm wrong anybody. It needed a new starter motor, which it eventually got.

[rosie631]

It doesn't sound like that's your problem though. Because i think you would just get a click from the starter motor. It wouldn't turn over at all when it hit the dead spot.

[Max Preload]

I am not too clued up what's actually what I am looking for as I don't look inside the Van. However if you can explain it further that would be great.

If you follow the thick battery lead from the positive terminal it goes to the starter solenoid (at least, the heaviest section does). There's also a thin wire on the starter solenoid that causes the winding in the solenoid to close the heavy contacts between that heavy cable and the starter. The transmission inhibitor switch isolates the smaller wire if the transmission isn't in PARK or NEUTRAL so the contacts in the solenoid won't close even if you try to start the car - ergo it inhibits starting. To check the inhibitor isn't faulty, put the car in park or neutral, remove the small lead from the terminal on the solenoid and put a 12V supply to that terminal - the easiest way is from that heavy battery lead terminal adjacent. You can do it using a screwdriver but if you're inexperienced it's safer to use a bit of insulated wire. Fix it to the small terminal and poke it onto the big terminal (which is always live) NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND or you might smoke the wire.

If that works, it's your inhibitor switch. Otherwise, it's either the starter or the signal from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid. You can check the solenoid signal with a test light.

Yea, I wasn't really sure I was hitting the right part as I was doing it in the dark. It was connected to some belt and it had some metal brushes inside though.

The starter is at the other end of the engine, by the transmission. You're tapping the alternator!

The other problem is that there is hardly any space for me to hit it with the hammer. It was merely just tapping it! Plus, what the whole deal with hitting your starter with a hammer? Is it a miracle technique?

It's an emergency fix for worn brushes or a sticking solenoid. Tapping it will sometimes rattle the brushes into contact with the armature. Probably much better access from underneath, but youll need axle stands or ramps for that - don't get under there with just a jack.