Weird no start issue '03 GT (and hey, I'm back!)

[bodhi_tree777]

Hey guys! Been a long time, apologies for the absence but life sort of pulled my attention away for a while I've got a lot of catch-up reading to do, but hopefully I'll be back around more often.

I hate to be that guy who disappears and only pops back in because he's got a problem, but it seems I've got to be that guy so here goes:

2003 Vibe GT - 120k miles (give or take)

Car had been running tip top up until this point, generally well-maintained and cared for, not abused in any way.

About 6 weeks ago, with no symptoms prior, the car would not start. Dash lights would come on, radio, headlights, etc all would work, but no start (not even an attempt). It behaved exactly like it would if you tried to start it without pressing in the clutch.

Since we have another car and I've been working from home for the last 8 months or so (and because it was freezing outside), we just let it sit and used our other Vibe. A few weeks ago I came out to try it again on a whim, still no start.

Today, I finally decided to try and figure out what was going on. With no other car at the house to jump it with, I thought "why not?" and decided to see if it would start up on its' own. To my surprise, it did. Fired right up on the first try. I let it run for a while, cleaned the interior, drove it to the car wash, then to the Autozone to pick up a few things (left it running the whole time). Got back home, turned it off. Sat for a minute, then tried it again. Again, it fired right up.

I go inside for a little while, come back out, change the PS fog light bulb out, test it and all is well. I go to try to start the car again, and now it's a dead stick again. No start, but all the electrics seem to be working just fine. I pop the hood, check the battery terminals (they seem fine), then I get sick of standing in the rain and I come back inside.

So help me out guys: What would/could cause this behavior? It seems like the battery is fine, the starter is fine, etc. What should I be zeroing in on? Has anyone else had this sort of issue?

[kostby]

It COULD be the starter.

I've got an automatic 2003 Base with about 108,000 miles.
My starter died on Christmas Eve in a parking lot at church.
Definitely wasn't anything electrical.
Never really gave any warning.
Always worked before, every time since the car was built in May 2002. (I purchased it used with 20,000 miles in February 2004)
Just stopped working.
I got it to start one more time the next day, so I did drive it home.
Didn't do anything different that last time. It just worked. Once. And then nothing.

So I had it replaced. (Cold, snowy, and even though I have a garage, I didn't have the right sockets or correct length extensions to get to the bolts easily.)
The 'OEM factory' replacement is outrageously priced, even from parts stores like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, so I had an aftermarket one installed. I understand most of them are remanufactured in Mexico, regardless of brand.

And welcome back!

[star_deceiver]

Sounds like a bad connection somewhere in the starting circuit. I'd start at the ignition, could be as simple as a start wire with a bad connection. Or the starter itself, wire might be loose.

I've got a lot of catch-up reading to do, but hopefully I'll be back around more often.

I'd say... You've missed much!!!

[bodhi_tree777]

Thanks for the quick replies, guys! Does anyone happen to have any handy links to threads or DIYs related to the ignition system or starter replacement? I'm pretty unfamiliar with some of that stuff, and definitely unfamiliar with those systems in the Vibe. I checked the stickied DIY and Maintenance index, couldn't find anything specific to that. Not exactly sure where everything is and what I need to pull or push or move out of the way to get to the ignition wiring, etc.

And thanks for the warm welcome back! I missed this place.. wandered errantly into VW land for a while, but those guys have some jerky tendencies

[JohnO]

I found these videos on youtube. The first is about repairing the starter solenoid on Toyota starter motors:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgGWQ02GtEk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may not need a new starter if you can repair the current one. Here is a general video on diagnosing and replacing starter motors:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M2rUPgeDQw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bodhi_tree777]

Thanks, John! I'll definitely check those out in the AM. I have a morning appointment tomorrow, but once my client leaves I'll start going through the wiring first to make sure it's not just a loose connection somewhere. I'll try and update this if I have any progress.