Help needed! Car won't start - Toyota Yaris Forums

mf4361 · 07-16-2015, 04:32 PM

Hello and help, I have a canadian 2007 Sedan.
My car won't start in the afternoon, not even a sound of cranking. The dash faintly flickers. It was fine this morning and lunch time and no sign of any problem.

I checked the battery it's showing 12.4V, but measuring from the interior 12V power source shows 4.7V.

It did shows some weird moments where it doesn't responds when i turn the key (not even lights). But back to normal after I take out the battery terminals and put it back

I am guessing the starter problem?

I havn't got a chance to check the starter fuse but I will soon (I have to leave it in the local coffee shop and have my colleague give me a ride :()

valchrist90731 · 07-16-2015, 05:08 PM

Do you have acid eating the battery cables?

If this happened get new cables or clean the old ones with arm and hammer baking soda then cut and reclamp the cables. Very easy fix.

Measuring volts from interior where?

Well not sure but i think it is acid build up..

NYC-SE · 07-16-2015, 07:47 PM

First guess would be a bad battery. Be aware that it is possible for a battery to show 12+ V on a volt meter and still be "dead". A load test would be able to determine if that is the case in this instance. How old is the battery? Anything over 4 years I would just buy a new one and not even bother getting it load tested.

jambo101 · 07-16-2015, 08:37 PM

If thats the original battery its probably time for a new one, however i;d do a thorough cleaning of terminals and connectors first.

mf4361 · 07-16-2015, 10:00 PM

Solved by my colleague that noticed that the +ve terminal is not firmly contacting and was arcing. (It's not the OEM batt) I did cleaned of some acid residue but I guess that wasn't enough. Anyway, it's normal again. Thanks for all your comments!

NYC-SE · 07-16-2015, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mf4361

Solved by my colleague that noticed that the +ve terminal is not firmly contacting and was arcing. (It's not the OEM batt) I did cleaned of some acid residue but I guess that wasn't enough. Anyway, it's normal again. Thanks for all your comments!

Glad that it was something simple.

valchrist90731 · 07-17-2015, 12:02 AM

When you fully clean off the acid from your cables use water and baking soda. Use a tooth brush.

Once wiped clean put some Vaseline on it where acid usually builds up. This will keep the acid from forming again for a Long time.

Please do it thoroughly the first time.

If cleaned properly this will help not damage other important parts inyour vehicle.

Acid eats and destroys everything including you wallet.

$$$$$$$$
Save yourself because now you know.
Acid build up can damage important car parts. Results can range in the thousands of $$$.

Some cars air conditioning pipelines can be damage is an example.

But that's just an example and really depends on the cars set up.
.

tmontague · 07-17-2015, 07:29 AM

I'd recommend covering the terminals in dielectric great. I've done this for years and have no corrosion or acid at all.

mf4361 · 07-17-2015, 12:11 PM

Thank you for all the advice. I will do that over the weekend and see how it goes

07-16-2015, 04:32 PM	#1
mf4361 Drives: Yaris Sedan Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SK Posts: 43	Help needed! Car won't start Hello and help, I have a canadian 2007 Sedan. My car won't start in the afternoon, not even a sound of cranking. The dash faintly flickers. It was fine this morning and lunch time and no sign of any problem. I checked the battery it's showing 12.4V, but measuring from the interior 12V power source shows 4.7V. It did shows some weird moments where it doesn't responds when i turn the key (not even lights). But back to normal after I take out the battery terminals and put it back I am guessing the starter problem? I havn't got a chance to check the starter fuse but I will soon (I have to leave it in the local coffee shop and have my colleague give me a ride :()

07-16-2015, 05:08 PM	#2
valchrist90731 Drives: 2007 toyota yaris sedan Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Los Angeles County Posts: 61	Do you have acid eating the battery cables? If this happened get new cables or clean the old ones with arm and hammer baking soda then cut and reclamp the cables. Very easy fix. Measuring volts from interior where? Well not sure but i think it is acid build up.. Last edited by valchrist90731; 07-16-2015 at 07:37 PM.

07-16-2015, 08:37 PM	#4
jambo101 Drives: yaris 08 sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 1,286	If thats the original battery its probably time for a new one, however i;d do a thorough cleaning of terminals and connectors first. __________________ Have Yaris will travel..

07-17-2015, 12:02 AM	#7
valchrist90731 Drives: 2007 toyota yaris sedan Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Los Angeles County Posts: 61	When you fully clean off the acid from your cables use water and baking soda. Use a tooth brush. Once wiped clean put some Vaseline on it where acid usually builds up. This will keep the acid from forming again for a Long time. Please do it thoroughly the first time. If cleaned properly this will help not damage other important parts inyour vehicle. Acid eats and destroys everything including you wallet. $$$$$$$$ Save yourself because now you know. Acid build up can damage important car parts. Results can range in the thousands of $$$. Some cars air conditioning pipelines can be damage is an example. But that's just an example and really depends on the cars set up. . Last edited by valchrist90731; 07-17-2015 at 12:12 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Toyota Yaris 2007 car wont crank no start	aamrkhan	DIY / Maintenance / Service	0	01-19-2015 10:31 AM
What Car Mechanics Don't Want You to Know!!	daddz07	DIY / Maintenance / Service	16	04-17-2011 10:10 PM
Zefoxe - Photo Scavenger Hunt	Zefoxe	Photo-Video-Media Gallery	0	03-02-2009 10:23 PM

07-16-2015, 07:47 PM	#3
NYC-SE Drives: 2014 Yaris SE Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: NYC Posts: 1,076	First guess would be a bad battery. Be aware that it is possible for a battery to show 12+ V on a volt meter and still be "dead". A load test would be able to determine if that is the case in this instance. How old is the battery? Anything over 4 years I would just buy a new one and not even bother getting it load tested.

07-16-2015, 10:00 PM	#5
mf4361 Drives: Yaris Sedan Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SK Posts: 43	Solved by my colleague that noticed that the +ve terminal is not firmly contacting and was arcing. (It's not the OEM batt) I did cleaned of some acid residue but I guess that wasn't enough. Anyway, it's normal again. Thanks for all your comments!

07-17-2015, 07:29 AM	#8
tmontague View User's Garage Drives: '08 2zr swapped Vios M/T Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Caledonia Ont. Posts: 2,938	I'd recommend covering the terminals in dielectric great. I've done this for years and have no corrosion or acid at all.

07-17-2015, 12:11 PM	#9
mf4361 Drives: Yaris Sedan Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SK Posts: 43	Thank you for all the advice. I will do that over the weekend and see how it goes