94 Celica acting up!, Another starter issue.. Options

[Jlacker3]

I haven't driven my Celica in about 5 days and it's been pretty cold, well as cold as it gets in Texas. I come to drive it today and all the lights and everything are working fine when I put the key in. When I turn it, I hear a constant clicking sound. Usually one click means the battery or starter is out. I tried 3 more times then left for an hour. When I came back I did it 3 more times. Came back about 5 minutes later and when I turn the key NOTHING happens, no clicks. As I said before, ALL the interior lights and everything is working fine.

I replaced the starter 3 years ago and had new spark plugs a couple of months ago. The battery seems to be working well too. Is this a starter issue or could it be something different? I'd hate to have to get it towed just to figure out whats up with it.

Thanks!

[94TRDcelica]

I doubt its the alternator or the starter. I had a exactly the same symptoms a few months ago. It would start with a jump but often it wouldn't re-start after turning it off.

After many call outs and forum posts I discovered that it was simply the terminals on the battery. Usually the positive cable is bolted through on the terminal, after years of heat, moisture and corrosion the cable frays and starts producing an insufficient amount of voltage.

So by replacing both terminals with the cheapest around and soldering the cables onto 'O' ends and then direct bolt to the terminal = no problems and has been fantastic ever since.

Firstly check all the voltage readings between the +ve and -Ve and the +ve and different locations on the chassis, +ve and the starter and finally -ve and the alternator (where power lead enters). If you have a similar rating throughout (I think is somewhere between 12 and 14V).

If you have a current to the alternator there really isn't much more that can go wrong with it, its just an electromagnet, though feel free to check all connections by removing the heat plate.

Finally keep the voltage reader between -ve and the alt and get someone to turn the key, if the voltage drops to 0 on the click then its something to do with the power not getting to it on ignition. Hence replace the terminals and ensure a solid earth and +ve feed is present. Also check ignition wires are secure.

Apologies for the long post - let us know how it goes.