Thank You @Toyota Maintenance. My 2005 Matrix would not start. Tried the hammer trick and it started :-)...drove it back home and it won't start again. Changed the starter and noticed I was now not getting enough power, Had the battery checked and it had died. Got a replacement battery and it still won't start (very little power to the dashboard with some flickering). Then I rewind your Video. I started to clean the battery terminals again and make it look like new. Reconnected the terminals, and I see I have full power now. and Then it started:-). Hope this helps someone. God bless u all.
Replacement of that starter is made easier by removing the radiator fan/expansion tank assembly. 1 hose, 1 electrical connection, 2 10mm bolts, and 2 annoying cable clips. Lift it out, and you have tons of space to work. Re/re starter with that procedure takes about 15 minutes. No hoist, no jack, everything done from the top.
One secret also after like you said pulling out the fan you must use a six point socket to take out the upper mounting starter bolt. A 12 point will most likely round out the bolt like it almost did for me twice.
I am so appreciate you. Just stacked on the parking lot, tried everything, including jumpstart, nothing help. Found your video, and followed your steps, and it saved me. Thank you very much
Thank you for all the detail....I am a woman and your video alone got my car started. Keep sharing videos like these for people (women) that all we need is guidance. Youre awesome
Good for you! I grew up in an alcohol dragster design shop, a welding shop, boat repair and car repair shop. My step dad at 13-14 taught me that if anyone is going to drive, they MUST know how to repair and check certain things. I grew up before cell phones and in the country. I refused to not learn because I didn't want any untrustworthy people stopping to help "the poor woman in distress". It makes you feel great when you don't have to rely on anyone for stuff all drivers should know. I find even more now, people havebt a clue how to even change a tire or check their oil. They just call someone else. Let's face it, women taking cars to a shop STILL get ripped off!
My coworker's 2005 Matrix would not start. Thought it might be the battery (also very corroded terminals), so I tried giving her a jump - no dice. Came across this video, and gave the solenoid a couple light taps as she turned it over...IT STARTED RIGHT UP! Great video, subscribed.
Well done and thank you for the video. Once again, customer has no clue about their own equipment. Cleaning corrosion off terminals is something my wife knows about and certainly would have help the situation in the first place. I have to say, I was surprised that the starter didn't catch at first after that good terminal cleaning, but obviously they go bad, too.
I fond it ironic how little people understand about corroded battery terminals. Logic: if you have a remote control or a child's toy that has corroded batteries, everyone removes them immediately and cleans out the acid. Why would they think not to do that with a vehicle?
@@1jackvalley580 I have a 2005 Pontiac Vibe, exactly the same as the Matrix. Not a problem in 200,000 miles. UNTIL, I am ready to trade it in on this coming Monday, no start! 5 years on the battery, got a new one, cleaned the terminals, no start. Going to try the tapping tomorrow and see what happens.
Thank you SO MUCH! My Toyota Matrix has about the same mileage as the one you had and had THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS! At first I thought battery also, and really had some after-market positive housing as well but not the corrosion. I watched this and THANK GOD you had shown this because honestly all I had to do was smack my solenoid of the starter just like you, and it gave me that "one last trip" to the auto shop to get a new starter. I have liked, subscribed and commented to support your efforts to help others as you helped me today good Sir!
I changed my matrix starter its only two bolts to remove on opposite ends and the connections. part of the air filter hose gets in the way so you might need to remove it. Great video!
This literaly just happened to me...I did the battery check and terminals but its to dark outside now.. so ill be a tappn the solenoid come morning light !!!! thank you for this video .. Ohh and may I compliment you on the cleanliness of your shop/garage
Thanks for sharing this information. And video. I would change that positive cable and clean the negative cable also.. clean the top of the battery ,check water level.
Same thing happened to my 2004 corolla probably 3 years ago. I was in Mexico and had it towed to a shop and they took the starter apart and rebuilt it and got it going. My father in law who's from there told me that they always rebuild the Starters and alternators in the shop instead of ordering rebuilt ones or new ones. Same car is going strong to this day.
Thank you! Nice trick. It helped me get the car running and avoid the tow truck. Although, I did need help inside starting the car while I was hitting the starter.
Just found your videos today and I really like them! Too bad you don't live in Southern Ontario Canadabor I would bring my car to you :) My parents gave me a Toyota Matrix(2012) about 8 months ago for free. It's in GREAT shape as they barely used it. They retired and no longer needed 2 vehicles. My dad did alot of upgrading work for me which was great. I've always repaired my own vehicles but since I have never owned a Matrix, I've been relying on your knowledge and videos to show me a couple things I am not familiar with. Currently my engin light is on and ii realized I have a coolant/Antifreeze leak somewhere. Also my TRAC OFF light has gotten stuck on and the button barely moves.. Once it's not 41°C(105.8°F) I'm going to go work with the car. Fingers crossed I can fix it without taking it to a shop! Sadly females still get shafted by many mechanics no matter how much they actually know about fixing cars. Thanks for your super friendly videos! 💕
As mdotguy said, Eric O. at South Main auto in Avoca New York at the south end of I390. He charges $80 for a one hour diagnosis, he finds the problem or no charge, I've been there twice, he's excellent.
Could use help! I drive my car for a bit (starts up perfectly) and get home, shut car off, and try to re-start it and it won't start....but then it will start up 5 or so minutes later. any assistance on this? It is def not the battery as I just replaced the battery a couple weeks back.
Thanks for your proper approach and diagnosis ...... however, if you replace the starter, wouldn’t the customer be best served with a new OEM positive side battery cable?
You DO NOT need to input the CCA on the tester! You input it only for reference. It does not get used or changes any output from the tester. I just press next and if needed, check the CCA of the battery after. All car batteries should be above 500 CCA so it’s easy to tell if a battery is bad (CCA and internal resistance).
I don't suppose this will be seen but here goes. We have a 2009 FWD Toyota RAV4 Base model with 2.5 L AR-FE engine. The transmission is running hot anywhere from 196°F to 226°. I would like to have an aftermarket transmission cooler installed. Any suggestions?
ahahhahah,,,,,,,,,, I've just had this "SAME" > "EXACT" instance happen with me, today,,,,,, on my Geo Metro 3/5. I've replaced it,,,, and returned the core about ONE hour ago........... > thanks Mr. Toy Maint.
I don't know what it is about these Toyotas and their battery terminals. My 07 Corolla S was so bad, it corroded THROUGH the positive terminal completely. Not enough Dielectric grease? Bad water control through the wheel wells?
I just replaced the starter relay in 2003 Vibe. {Matrix''''''' Because of intermittant no crank.I broke into the old relay with pliers to see what is what and there was what looked like lint from the clothesdrier balled up between the points.Must have been in there since assembly.A Denso relay.I will keep it for spare.I closed it up with black tape..CHEERS from Westcoast Canada!
This is great except my toyota matrix did exactly same but did NOT start when we smacked the starter. We changed the starter and it still won't start. Battery is fine and tested we changed the ignition switch before. Could it be the relay?? help me 🙏
The starter/solenoid may not have actually been bad. With the amount of corrosion and the painted after market lead it could have been that not enough power was getting to the solenoid for it to operate properly and the starter system simply locked itself. I've seen it happen a few times.
Had the same problem on my base 09 Matrix. 155k miles. I cleaned the positive terminal and it started right up. Now I’m wondering if my starter is going bad.
hay just had to say the video was helpful,,, but your modest kind way was the highlight for me!!! a gentleman and gentle soul, god bless you and your family!! thank you for renewing my faith in humanity, this video was helpful in many ways,,
Hey there. I'm calling from Houston TX I have 2004 toyota matrix rx I would could you tell me where I can start checking the toyota matrix rx no AC setbelt the cluster display does not light up bright & display screen that can't see the number on the display screen 🤔
Wouldn't you just have to change the solenoid? Or are they all one piece for this model vehicle? The starter could have been checked by shorting the solenoid contacts and see if it turns over, is so then the solenoid is the culprit, if not, the starter would likely be bad.
We switched batteries, same thing happened until replacing starter. But if the starter goes out, like what recently happened, it doesn't crank. As soon as it goes out .Normally, cars crank a.. just like before on the first replacement. Dont know why..
When I turn on my car, I hear a simple click sound as long as the key is turned in forward. Battery was tested fine. As I found online, I tapped on the starter gently with a wrench and then the car started fine. Does this mean starter has gone bad? Or is it starter relay? Appreciate the help.
Here is a trick to loosen something like that up in the future. You can use a solution of BiCarb soda (baking powder) and water, to dissolve the crusty buildup, in a few seconds.
Very interesting angle at troubleshooting this issue. My first suspicion given the acid buildup on the battery would to check the alternator diode, thinking that perhaps that part of the issue was the battery being overcharged. I never heard of tapping the solenoid to get a car to start! That amazed me. Honestly though, the battery was 3 years old, the connectors crap to begin with...and I know you want to limit the expense to the customer, so I would have posed the question to them the choice of minimal (starter, battery recharge, cleaning the acid) as opposed to including the starter, battery and replacing the battery connector cable. Likely the latter would mean no less than a new battery that would go 3-5 more years and no incidence. I am wondering what your thoughts were about the acid buildup and the alternator? Always great videos from you!
Now that you figured out it was the starter. Instead of buying a new starter. Just buy a rebuild kit and replace the contacts and solenoid. Show people how to do that instead of a rebuilt starter.
my 2004 xrs makes the normal sound right into a grinding noise like it retracts at the last second. Is it the starter or something else like the battery.
Check Engine light is on. I would have used a wire wheel on the terminals, clamps, and wire ends as well as filing inner terminal clamp area. And check the battery fluid levels.
A friend recently had her 2004 Toyota Rav4 die here in upstate New York, it's the country here, farmland, cows, etc.. It found it's way to a national chain repair store, Monroe? Easy to replace the starter there, the cost ... $600. (Rebuilt replacement Dorman) I was angry at this nonsense.
Thanks great video saved me a lot of time I got a 2006 with 120,000 miles my car doing exactly the same thing taped on it started right up now I get to replace a starter on my day off 😃 Could be worse I guess least it broke down at the house 😂😂😂
My matrix giving me this problem atm, changed starters and it won’t work still, changed the fuse relay and it worked, next morning it didn’t. Not gone lie once it comes to replacing parts, that shits highway robbery
No, use electrical grease. Dielectric grease makes the connection worse. Dielectric is really only meant for high voltage applications (spark plug boots).
I have had that exact one for over 3 years. No problems and works great. As long as your cigarette lighter i not always hot (flowing electricity even when the keys are out) it's fine.
I would really like to talk to you about a problem I seem to have that the dealer nor a couple mechanics can’t seem to figure out on my 2008 Toyota Tundra 4.7 4x4. It’s a vibration felt only between 25-35mph under light acceleration. If I let off or give it more gas, it goes away and doesn’t return until I reach the same mph. If I’m being aggressive with the acceleration, it doesn’t do it at all. Only does it at those speeds mostly during 4th gear up-shift. Doesn’t do it at any other gear change up or down. I’ve had a new driveshaft installed and had wheel alignment and tires balanced. Some have suggested it could be coils or spark plugs. And there is NO check engine light or stored DTC’s. I would really appreciate any help, thanks.
Yes all driveshafts replaced/balanced. I appreciate any other suggestions. I’m gonna take it back to the dealership for a flex lock-up test on techstream software to see if torque converter or transmission is to blame. I keep throwing a lot of money into a problem they can’t solve yet they are master ASE Certified techs who have said one thing was the problem but doesn’t get resolved. I’m at a loss. What puzzles me is that the symptom mimics a wide range of issues that can be any of them or multiples. It has about almost 30 hrs of diagnostics/testing without any answers, only theories.
There’s a little or a lot of corrosion on that + battery terminal 🔋 some people just no how to put gas in it and zoom 🏎 that battery is off gassing a lot
I would choose the path of removing the flat connector (look at the amount of tape! crazy!) and hook the cable to the main battery contact just as you described
