Hi Scotty,

I own a 2008 Toyota Corolla Sedan Auto CE 262K Km - living in Toronto and I am a big fan of your YouTube channel.

I replaced the starter in NYC Feb 2022 (exactly a year ago) after I drove the car from Toronto - the car died on me and work was done at local Manhattan workshop.

Recently, about two month or so, the car started to show again the same signs of a bad starter. The first time it didn't start, I towed to my mechanic, and over there it started without any trouble (before that I have tried to jump the car with a booster that my mechanic was nice to lend me, didn't work).

The Second time, about 2 weeks later same thing happen again. This time my mechanic came to meet me where the car got stuck and banged on the starter with hammer and a metal bar and it started (after failing again to start with a booster).

Third time (again 2 week later) it happened again, but this time I noticed it is all related to cold weather. As you know here in Canada temp can drop way below zero. So, I had and idea. I pour some hot water only on the body (the metal part) of the starter away from the wires and car started immediately.

Since then, it happened 2 more times, each time the hot water trick revive my little toyota. Now to my big question?

My mechanic says it's the starter. I suspect it might be the battery since it's was showing near half 370 out of 640 CCA (cold cranking amps) needed when we test it. I don't want to play "trial and error". I'm trying to avoid paying for parts and labor twice (once on a new starter, and if it doesn't work then on a battery). What is your educated opinion?
Thx Amit