I have a Toyota 1991 Corolla SR5 that sometimes has trouble starting. When it's like 40-50 F outside or has been sitting for a few hours, the car may take one or more tries to get it to start and then it runs just fine. I changed the battery a month ago and I have checked with a battery tester, and it is in good health. The battery is properly secured, and the terminals are clean. I tried a new starter relay, and it didn't work. Is it possible that the starter is showing signs of wear (original starter) or possibly one of the battery wires that is worn out?
It is not clear from your description whether it fails to crank or it cranks and fails to start.
See the FAQ section on diagnosing a no-start condition.
Sorry, I mean that it cranks but fails to start.
OK, take a look at the FAQ, there's a lot of info there.
I mean that it cranks
I tried a new starter relay, and it didn't work. Is it possible that the starter...
if it cranks then the starter and relay are fine.
On a 30yo car I would be looking at cleaning up the throttle body, injectors, vacuum leaks and stuff like that.
Cold engines need more fuel than warm engines to start and run. Spray starter fluid in the throttle and try to start it. If it starts right up, then there's a problem with the fuel mixture. If a mixture is too lean, it won't ignite when it's cold, vacuum leaks from broken and disconnected hoses will lean out the mixture, as could stuff like a stuck IAC valve, etc. if the car has one.
