Corolla starting issue (cranking but not starting)

mujtaba.arif.3751 (Mujtaba) 2021-10-30 09:08:33 +0500 #1

AoA everyone,

My Corolla 2009 2nz-fe MT GLi has developed strange issue. Sometimes when I try to start the car and key is in ON position the lights on dashboard such as Check Engine, ABS, Engine oil etc do not light up and radiator fan starts to blow (Radiator fan never starts on key ON position as far as I know). All other electronics such as CD player & backlights in dashboard work fine. And when I crank the engine it does not start. This issue occurs sometimes only.

Any help will be appreciated.

uzeemujeeb (MUZ) 2021-10-30 10:34:45 +0500 #2

how old is battery? if it is a liquid battery check Specific gravity of electrolyte.

also carefully check the battery ground terminals connected to body shell & engine.
accessories working but engine not cranking is sign of bad corroded weak ground to engine.

mujtaba.arif.375 (Mujtaba Arif) 2021-10-30 10:54:58 +0500 #3

Battery is fine, dry battery installed. Everything including headlights and etc work fine on battery while engine is off. Terminals on battery are also OK. Engine is cranking perfectly fine but not starting.

mujtaba.arif.375 (Mujtaba Arif) 2021-10-30 10:56:14 +0500 #4

The problem I think is somewhere related to ECU/PCM not powering up properly sometimes.

uzeemujeeb (MUZ) 2021-10-30 11:01:30 +0500 #5

perhaps the fuel filter is clogged. It is inside the fuel pump in the fuel tank. it is a DIY or you may need to get it inspected by a mechanic. This unit can be purchased as new part from open market

mujtaba.arif.375 (Mujtaba Arif) 2021-10-30 11:10:04 +0500 #6

This was serviced 2 years ago by toyota dealer. And sir I recently drove from KHI to RYK. A clogged filter would have given performance issue on high speed. Furthermore, car starts perfectly fine when all dashboard lights are on. Only when those dashboard lights are off the engine keeps cranking without starting. By dashboard lights I mean check engine light, ABS, engine oil, handbrake light, seatbelt etc.

uzeemujeeb (MUZ) 2021-10-30 11:13:54 +0500 #7

warning lights over cluster are triggered by ECU @hassan1991 @ser_gtr @Xulfiqar
wait for other PWs' to read through @babarhyd @rajaatta @dani_kk @nomi01

SER_GTR (SER_GTR) 2021-10-30 11:18:50 +0500 #8

check you main efi ecu relay and fuse for losing/ bad connection operation

it could be bad IGN key connection also.... it could be bad ground also

lights not powering means ECU is not responding ..did other lights on cluster come blinking...??

mujtaba.arif.3751 (Mujtaba) 2021-10-30 11:23:13 +0500 #9

Yes sometimes cluster warning lights come and go immediately, sometimes they take longer, sometimes engine powers up and shutdown immediately. the issue used to occur rarely some weeks ago but now it occurs once or twice daily. I will check relay/fuses of ECU today and see if issue resolves.

Hassan1991 (Electrical Engineer ) 2021-10-30 12:03:02 +0500 #10

Can be bad grounding. Also check ignition switch.
As your ecu is cutting off.

Massive_One (Massive_One) 2021-10-30 12:47:51 +0500 #11

sir 2 hi possibilities hain, ya to petrol nahi mil raha, ya current...

provided the fact that the lights sometimes come on and sometimes don't, i think there's a wire damage or some fuse problem in fusebox or ecu wiring.. get that checked by a good electrician.

and radiator fan does work on key on position (when the dashboard lights come on) normally.

my car also had problem that sometimes it used to start on first self, and sometimes it did not start even after taking looooooooong selfs... the culprit was fuse problem in fusebox for the fuel pump.

babarhyd (babarhyd) 2021-10-30 19:11:41 +0500 #12

When ur faced with same problem again, put key on SWITCH ON and open hood of ur car. U will hear radiator FAN turned on, open the fusebox cover and tap the area highlighted in the attached picture with rear of screwdriver or anything soft, if FAN shutsdown and meter lights for ABS and CEL turn on after soft tapping, that means this fuselink is faulty and needs replacement which any good electrician can do.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2021-10-30 20:30:14 +0500 #13

Yup

Fan blowing full is a sign that the key is on but the ecu is offline.

dani_kk (Dmotorsports) 2021-11-05 03:06:58 +0500 #14

Could be a problem with fuse box.. Usually this car has a problem with fuse box inside, above glove box region..
The contacts either break or get loose... Seen this issue alot.

mujtaba.arif.375 (Mujtaba Arif) 2022-01-22 10:01:28 +0500 #15

Thank you a lot Pakwheelers. The issue was resolved as i found an old faulty theft switch that was installed by insurance company a long time ago, somewhere inside dashboard behind glove box. They claimed to have it removed once insurance was over but it was just bypassed. Now that switch is removed the issue is resolved.

ateeb2009.ak (Silvermoon) 2022-08-12 00:56:44 +0500 #16

I have a corolla GLi 2009 manual with 1.3L 2NZ-FE and the engine take long crank to start. Note: I recently change the fuel pump because of it and the engine is overhaul recently.

helper_learner (helper_learner) 2022-08-12 09:08:39 +0500 #17

Have you checked the spark in spark plug wires?