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
if it starts after whacking the starter, then you need a new starter
Thx Joe, Just put a new battery and it solved the situation for now.
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.
If the battery is half dead obviously it needs to be replaced.
Thx Chuck.
I also suspect it is the cause, and I can see how hot water make it easy for the starter to start under low battery condition. I just bought a new battery, let's see. But if it doesn't work, than what? I ended where I didn't want to begin with.... paying for parts and labor on both battery and starter. Well, lets see. I promise report.
If the problem persists do a voltage drop test on the battery cables. Obviously make sure your battery terminals are clean and in good condition. If everything else is OK it is probably the starter but that can't really be determined without testing it.
Thx a million Chuck. I will see and write a follow up in the next few day or two.
1st day update: I left the car outside the garage on purpose (temp 2F) and it started immediately with no problem, so it was the battery and not the starter. However, it immersive what hot water can do when you a low battery that can crank the motor of the starter....I learned a new trick. By the way, I'm sure that weather didn't help the situation. It would not happen if I were sunny FL sunny ☀️😎
Once again, thx Chuck!
As @mmj said, the whack test is pretty conclusive that it is the starter, and it may work fine for a while like has been happening. Keep in mind that you may have needed a battery too.
Another thing you could do it get a rebuild kit for the starter, those cost like $15 and easy to do. When you buy a rebuilt starter at an auto parts store, that is what they do for it, it replaces the parts that commonly go bad.
Thx nlord,
I looked for rebuilding starter kit, couldn't find for the price you mentioned only for $50 and up. When you could buy a rebuilt for $75 at AutoZone. For $15 difference I prefer that someone else would do the job. Still it would be nice to understand why pouring hot water helped to start the car?! Did it help to loose the friction, less force was required to turn the starter wheel?
Would the Hot water compensate the fact that my battery has only close to a half of it's CCA?
Thx Joe, Just put a new battery and it solved the situation for now.