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2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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dreemsofdark
New User
Aug 29, 2013, 8:50 AM
Post #1 of 8
(8405 views)
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2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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Hello!
I am in desperate need of some help. Here are my stats:
2005 Toyota Matrix
208K miles
Within the past 6 months:
- tune up
- oil leak fixed
- New catalytic converter
- New Serpentine Belt
- New Battery
- New battery terminals
I get regular oil changes and tire rotation and balances.
OK now the problem I am having is that when I try to start my car sometimes it revs but doesn't turn over, sometimes it just clicks. When I turn my steering wheel as far to one side or the other and try starting up it nearly turns over, and I end up having to turn my steering wheel a lot and trying and trying until my car finally starts. If my car has been driving for a long time, it can usually start back up with no problems. it can take 5 minutes to get the car to finally start, but maybe just two tries and it starts if it's been driving for a while.
What could be the reason that my car has so much trouble starting up, and why vigorously turning my steering wheel seems to be the only thing to help it start up? Why is it that if it's been running for a while it will start up much easier?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated!! No one has been able to help me, but I suspect it's something in the wiring of the steering wheel. However I don't even know where or how to get to those wires to check their connections and/or fuses
Thank you in advance!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 29, 2013, 8:54 AM
Post #2 of 8
(8397 views)
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Re: 2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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Have you tried clapping and simultaneously singing the National Anthem? It will help just as much as turning the steering wheel does.
All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.
Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.
These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.
1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.
2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.
Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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GC
User
Aug 29, 2013, 9:05 AM
Post #3 of 8
(8389 views)
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Re: 2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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Is this an intermittent "no crank" problem? When you say that it revs but does not turn over, do you mean the starter turns but doesnt engage the flywheel? Other times the starter just clicks? But after a number of attempts it starts? Assuming this to be the case, i would check out that starter, make sure that you are getting good voltage and ground at starter. If this is a "crank, no start" then look at HT reply
____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob
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dreemsofdark
New User
Aug 29, 2013, 9:10 AM
Post #4 of 8
(8382 views)
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Re: 2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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Yes, the starter turns but it doesn't engage the car to start until many tries, unless it's been running for a long time already.
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I Would also like to inform everyone, that I took my car to get the "check engine light" looked at, and the computer could not even get a reading from my car. The man looked at me and said "your car isn't even communicating to my [mechanism to test check engine lights]" So that's another reason why I am suspecting some sort of wiring issue.
(This post was edited by dreemsofdark on Aug 29, 2013, 9:15 AM)
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etron03
New User
Aug 29, 2013, 9:14 AM
Post #5 of 8
(8378 views)
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Re: 2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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oh hammertime, your silly response literally made me not lol, in real life.
you come across like one of those tobacco chewing rednecks that only knows how to think in the way they are told, a checklist. if its not on the checklist they start scratching their head and ass and saying "well i'll be"
what if, and follow me here, its WIRING? Perhaps something in the steering column that gets contact when the wheel is wiggled? i know that is non linear thinking so ill let you go lick paint on the walls (while the national anthem is playing) so you can have time to think about it.
rude #$%^&%$.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 29, 2013, 9:17 AM
Post #6 of 8
(8376 views)
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Re: 2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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You'll see.
I'm sure you would have mentioned it if any security lights were on or dashboard going dead or anything like that when trying to start it, thorough as you claim to be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 29, 2013, 9:21 AM)
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etron03
New User
Aug 29, 2013, 9:17 AM
Post #7 of 8
(8371 views)
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Re: 2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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lol, ok.
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dreemsofdark
New User
Aug 29, 2013, 9:35 AM
Post #8 of 8
(8362 views)
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Re: 2005 Toyota Matrix Having Trouble Starting
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well I mentioned in a recent reply that the check engine light is on, but they cannot even get a reading as it won't connect to the computer. As I am starting the car all of the lights turn on as if you'd turned the car on but not started it yet. The only light that remains on when it's started is the check engine light, of which I cannot get diagnosed because it won't connect to the reader.
Thank you again everyone, I hope to figure out what's wrong with my car soon!
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