Expert: Rob Painter - 7/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: Car sometimes won't start,all electrical systems on dash come on ok, have new battery , no noise from starter or solenoid, car does not turn over at all, after several attempts "sometimes" the car starts normally. Could it be a starter relay, or pass key security system, ignition switch? If so how do I replace them or repair them?  Seems to do it more often after car has been driven for a while.

ANSWER: Hello,

Chances of it being a PKIII transponder security problem are unlikely and if so, would do it for you when engine was cold and very rare to be intermittent. Same holds true for electrical ignition switch (not key/lock cylinder).

I have found from experience a description like yours sounds like a bad starter. We had complaints like that often after the engine had been running a while warming up the brushes inside the starter causing them to stick. To confirm this problem, we would strike the starter case with a hammer a couple of times and the engine would crank and start. Would change the starter and did not see the problem again.
Years ago, many years ago, I rebuilt alternators and starters, before you couldn't get the internal parts any more. Even back then, the most common problem was that when subjected to engine heat, the brushes would stick on the armature and I would change the brushes and clean the armature and the starter would be fine again.

This event happens to vacuum cleaners and anything with an electric motor over time.

The biggest problem for you is that it is intermittent, but to illustrate my point, if the starter were to act up while someone was checking for a problem, here is what you would find with a test light or a meter: when ignition is in start position power would be up to the starter and yet the starter would not turn.

I am not an advocate for parts changing on an intermittent problem, however if this was my car, I would change the starter because it is the most common repair for your complaint.

Let me know how it works out.

http://www.autotheftexpert.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It Is the starter.   How do I replace it? I am fairly handy have done
some car maintenance. What and how difficult is it?

Answer
Hi,

Haven't changed one, don't know, however I can answer your question.

The best investment you could possibly make if you are handy and like to do your own repairs is get a factory service manual just like the techs use. If you look around you might find one for a couple hundred bucks. Go here and pay $30 and you can download the whole manual for a year http://www.alldata.com

Good luck!

Http://www.autotheftexpert.com