Car fails to start but seems to start if I rock it

chrislynch8

Hi,

Last week the car 04 Corolla 1.4 VVTi wouldn't start. I tried it for about ten minutes but nothing. Kept trying to start but just not turning over. I left it then because I had to go to work and took the other car.

Went back to it over the weekend and it started first time no problem, no problems all day Saturday and then on Sunday after starting and driving a few miles, a couple of stops and starts no problem then it didn't start again, after trying a couple of time to turn it over it would eventually start run away.

The battery is fine all electrics are working, etc. The car wouldn't jump start either. A friend had a diagnostics machine (one of those universal ones you buy for at home) and it showed no problems. Then after a few minutes it started again.

About two weeks ago around the last time I used it I was caught out for petrol and was running on fumes by time I made it to a Petrol Station, so I'm thinking I might have drag some crap from the bottom of the tank into the lines, injectors, etc..

I've figured that I can get it to start now by rocking the car while turning the ignition and will will start after a couple seconds. I bought STP Fuel Injector Cleaner today and filled the car with Petrol and add the Cleaner. Again the car wouldn't start after filling it, rocked the car while trying to start and it worked again. Drove from Cork City to Fermoy, got home turned off the car and again it wouldn't start again unless I rocked it.

Two Questions:
1: If it is dirt in the lines, injectors, how long does this stuff take to work
2: If it is not dirt in the lines, injectors any suggestions on what I could check myself before bringing it to the mechanic?

Thanks for taking the time to read this rather long winded post and I hope its in the correct part of the forums

Rgds
Chris

jimgoose

Do you mean it won't turn over at all, or turns over fine but will not fire?

chrislynch8

jimgoose wrote: »

Do you mean it won't turn over at all, or turns over fine but will not fire?

Sorry turns over fine just doesn't fire up.

mattser

Keep on rockin it baby

jimgoose

chrislynch8 wrote: »

Sorry turns over fine just doesn't fire up.

Bejabers. Something wobbly around/in the coilpack, maybe? Something electrical/ignition-y that's being put temporarily back into kilter by "rocking"??

barneygumble99

Starter motor. Is the car in gear when you are rocking it??

chrislynch8

barneygumble99 wrote: »

Starter motor. Is the car in gear when you are rocking it??

No the gear stick is in nuteral. I tried it earlier again and it started once by rocking it and about another tens times without issue and almost right away.

johndaman66

barneygumble99 wrote: »

Starter motor. Is the car in gear when you are rocking it??

I'd tend to agree with that one as the most likely cause. Can happen sometimes as they get older and wear. You could try tapping the starter motor a few times with something like a wheel brace and then try to start it. Not flaking the be jaysus out of it mind..just a few light taps.

If it is that you will probably need to get it re-conditioned or cheaper less hassle alternative might be to pick one up from a breakers yard.

chrislynch8

No issues for the last few days now since I put in the Furl injector cleaner.

If it was the starter motor should it start with a push start because it wouldn't when I had the problems.

Seems to be ok now anyway.

Thanks for all the replies.

Rgds
Chris

johndaman66

chrislynch8 wrote: »

No issues for the last few days now since I put in the Furl injector cleaner.

If it was the starter motor should it start with a push start because it wouldn't when I had the problems.

Ah, most likely dirt was drawn into the fuel system so when it was let go so low Chris. If it was the starter motor it should start from a clutch start as you are not using the starter motor there...you are starting it from the motion on the road as such...hence you can rule out the starter motor, assuming you had the right gear selected, enough speed built up and ignition on when you tried to clutch start it

A jump start from another car and you would still be relying on your own starter motor there alright.

Might be a very good idea to replace the fuel filter. They are a maintenance item that should be replaced from time to time but largely go untouched for the lifespan of the car quite often. On the vectras and older vw's they are underneath the car, roughly under the back seat. Not sure about Toyota's. If you are half handy with cars it wouldn't be the toughest job ever. You just need to be sure your putting it on the right way around as they are directional and be careful not to spill petrol on yourself or worse still accidently drink it. As always safety is paramount under cars. If you need to lift it up use suitable axle stands and park on firm level ground etc.

It could be about €20 or so very well spent. I learned the hard way at one stage when my Vectra wouldn't start in the miles from a garage. Didn't have breakdown cover at the time so needed to get it towed. After that and the jigs and reels of fitting the new pump I think I got a tenner change out of €500. Could have being different if I was cute about it and changed my fuel filter much earlier

biko

My first thought was dirt in fuel tank but then car would starve and stop intermittently.
Check connections to battery poles, just in case they be a bit loose.

Squatman

im sure some of you know better than me, but if the car is turning over, then it would not be a faulty starter surely?
would not be battery either

Also, id be doubting it is dirty fuel, id expect the car to be jumpy when driving,..

having said that i have no suggestions

Dionysius2

Simple straight forward tip : if it's the starter motor.....put the car in 2nd gear and rock it side to side and that will free it.....if it doesn't.....then your starter motor is not the problem and several other possibilities arise.

whupdedo

Maybe a stuck solenoid???

joujoujou

If there is (or was) any problem with ignition, decent code reader would show it.

Maybe faulty fuel pump (or just bad connection)?