mitchell Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hi guys, Im hoping this is pretty easy to diagnose but thought I'd ask for your input prior to calling the garage if thats ok. I noticed about a month or 2 ago that the Supe was having a little trouble in the mornings when starting. I initially thought it was something alarm/ immobiliser orientated as I pressed the alarm deactivation on my Toad alarm and then went to start the engine and it just clicked or gave a very slight turn. I would then press the key fob again, try the ignition and the car would start. I may have to repeat this process a few times with the fob/ alarm for the car to start. This morning I had to try about 8 times before the car laboured to turn over and start. Its been sat there unused since Friday evening so has had a full weekend to possibly drain something if thats the cause? I think looking back it has been at its worst when left over the weekend for instance. I wondered if it was something simple or would you believe its related to the alarm somehow? Advice would be great on things to check or possible faults? Thanks, G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra matt Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Sounds like you need a new battery mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hi Matt, Cheers for the reply. I did consider the battery but then it occured to me that a new one was put in about a year ago. Also, the lights/ stereo etc dont seem to have any issues with them. I thought it could be something else but guess the garage could qualify. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 (edited) I'd try a new battery first. Edit: First try cleaning up and securing the battery terminals and earthing points, if that makes no difference then next step would be trying a new battery. Edited September 5, 2011 by Nic (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I would try a new battery and maybe even think about refurbisihing the starter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ugp Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Moneys on the starter. Think about this, if it was the battery, the more you try, the flatter its going to get, so after the 7th attempt of it not starting or struggling to turn over, a sudden burst of life (enough to start it) wont appear by the 8th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Not sure if this helps but just went to start the car after its been sitting for 2 hours (had 1 hour journey into work this morn) and it fired up perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT Paul Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 check voltage drop when starting should go to around 11.5v then once running charging at 14v. no charging alternator voltage lower than 11.5 when starting battery either flat or fubar or like others said startor motor could be playing up, if it strains again hit startor with hammer try again if that works startor motor possibly oh and check earth as well as can cause starting issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Just called my local garage and they want to charge £50 to just look at the thing! I dont remember this being standard practice so will phone around a few people in the Basingstoke area I think.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Just to expand on the above posts... If on the first few attempts to start it it doesn't even turn over, then on the 8th (or whatever) attempt it turns over and starts, that will be your starter motor contacts that need refurbing. If the crank is slow-ish when it does decide to turn over, then that would indicate your battery is past its best (or at least, low on charge). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Cheers, def looks like it is the starter motor. Ive read some bits on refurbing the starter motor and it looks like you need get the car on the ramps and removing the bolts is tricky. Im thinking that I might as well buy a second hand SM and get the local garage to fit it. If it turns out to be the battery, it has a 3 year warranty anyway so would be able to claim on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Changing the starter motor contacts isn't an easy job for a driveway DIYer AFAIK. Access isn't easy, and the fittings can be seized on. I also thought that the hardest part of the job was to get the SM off in your hand, which you or a garage would have to do by changing the SM anyway. At least by changing the contacts, you wouldn't be swapping the starter motor for one which only had a bit of life left in it. They're all getting on a bit, and if you don't either change the contacts or change the SM for one that's had its contacts recently changed, you might need to do this again in a few months or a year. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I've had exactly the same problem with mine, but I've yet to sort it. Again it sounds like my starter motor so I'm going to try and get it off tonight - I'll let you know how easy it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Good point, may well be worth just paying out for the additional £30/40/50 and get a new one. Budz, let me know how you get on! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Well I've got the parts on order to refurb the starter motor, cost £23 delivered. New starter motor was about £230 odd from Mr T. Should hopefully get this done in a couple of days when.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Sounds about right. Starters motors may not be rocket science, but they are not cheap to buy new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-SUPRA-STARTER-MOTOR-1993-1998-/190543935045?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c5d4db645 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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