Toyota Yaris

[Kirit]

Hi everyone,

I have a Toyota Yaris which won't start.

Car Specs:
Toyota Yaris T Spirit 5 Door Automatic
2009
Engine Size 1329cc
The mileage on the car is 7164 miles


It's a second hand car and I'm the second owner of the car.
As you can see from the year and the mileage, although the car is not very new, I don't drive it a lot. I use a lot of public transport, bus, train etc.

Although the car is called an automatic, its actually a semi-automatic car.
It has keyless entry with push button start.

I tried to start the car last week and it wouldn't start. I hadn't driven it for a few months.
It had been sitting on my driveway and I guessed that the battery had run flat.

I have owned the car for 4 years and have never changed the car battery.
It has the same battery that it had when I purchased the car.

I have a mains operated car battery charger.
The Ring Automotive RCB320

I did a slow (trickle) charge for 2 hours followed by 8 hours charge on a fast charge.
Both lights on the RCB320 had turned green at the end of 8 hours.
I reconnected the terminals of the car to the battery.
The car still does not start.

My technical knowledge of cars is extremely limited.

Can anybody help please ?
Thanks

[dewaltdisney]

The battery is probably knackered. If you allow a total discharge it will lead to the battery dying and you have left the car for a long period where the clock and other systems will lead to a discharge. I suggest a new battery and a weekly start up and run to charge the battery or an intelligent trickle charger that work off sunlight. see http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/ ... ner-12v-6w

DWD

[Bob225]

If the battery was dead flat the acid turns back into water - the cold weather will of killed the battery as the water would of froze - if that's the case the battery will not hold a charge no matter what you do

replace the battery for a new one, no doubt its the original one from the factory - I would recommend a Bosch s3 or Varta battery

how much petrol is in the tank ? as modern fuel can go stale when not used


if your not using the car start it every few weeks and let warm up, also if your going to leave it for long periods choc the wheels and release the hand brake (if your on level ground/driveway) this will stop the rear brakes from seizing up

[Rorschach]

At almost 9 years old the battery is well past it's service life. Buy a new one, you can get them delivered and are easy to fit.

I buy cheap batteries (£30-40 for my car) and change every 3-4 years, never had a failure to start. Spending a lot on batteries is a false economy for most people, especially in a case like yours where lack of use is the main cause of damage to the battery.

If you really don't use the car often, some good advice above. Myself I would try and take the car out for a little run once a week, even if it's just to do a bit of shopping. It will do the car a lot of good, charge the battery, warm things up, move some oil around etc. It will stop your tyres getting flat spots and stop pitting of your brakes, another problem with car left for a long time.

[Kirit]

Thank you all so very much. I'm grateful to you all

The battery
My guess is that you are all correct. It probably is dead. It's the same one that came with the car when I purchased it. I'm guessing the same one from the factory.
I wouldn't even know how to tell if its the one from the factory.
How do I know if it's a factory one, or another make. eg Varta or Bosch ?

£30-£40 seems very reasonable for a battery every 3 years
I'm guessing lack of use of the car is probably the main reason for cause of damage to the battery.

I've estimated that I probably drive the car once every 5 months. Mostly due to using bus and train. So it spends most of the time sitting on the driveway.

Petrol in the tank
I think close to a full tank. Sadly I had no idea about modern fuel going stale if the car is left for long periods.
I assumed it would be a wise move to fill up the tank. Clearly not. Well, stupidity on my part, and something to learn from.

Ultimately a lot of this is going to have to be put down to a learning curve as I slowly learn more about the basics of cars



if your not using the car start it every few weeks and let warm up, also if your going to leave it for long periods choc the wheels and release the hand brake (if your on level ground/driveway) this will stop the rear brakes from seizing up

Sadly the above bit of advice wont apply to me. My driveway is a downwards facing slope which leads directly into the road. I also live next to a primary school, so there's always plenty of traffic, school kids and parents.

[Dave54]

To be honest, if I used a car that rarely, I'd hire one or get a taxi when I needed to.
Cars don't like being left standing for all sorts of reasons as given by others above.
If you're going to keep it I'd take it out for a proper run one a week for at least half an hour.
Get it properly warmed up.
You may still find that the battery will go flat. Modern cars use some power from the battery even when not in use.

[Rorschach]

Once every 5 months is really not going to do it any good. Is there really any point in you having the car?

When I got my car it had been sat mostly idle for 9 months, it had suffered because of that and took a while to improve.

[Kirit]

I've booked it into my local garage for its MOT tomorrow.

The mechanic came to collect it from my home as of course it still would not start

I also have a portable Rescue Pack by SIP The SIP Rescue Pack 1600
He tried to start the car with the Rescue Pack but still nothing happened.
He thinks the starter motor on my Toyota Yaris Mark 2 may have died.
He is confused as the lights on the car are lighting up, as are the lights on the dashboard, so be believes that the battery may still be working.

As he couldn't drive it off my driveway today, they are returning tomorrow to tow the car to the local garage.
Thankfully the local garage is at the end of my road, so about a 5 minute walk away.

Is the starter motor for the Toyota Yaris Mark 2 an expensive car part ?

I suppose the price would also depend on whether the garage decide to obtain a second hand or brand new starter motor for the car.

I'll keep the forum updated with everything as it progresses.
It's a difficult lesson for me but perhaps it may help others moving forward.

[Bob225]

Depending on the make of the starter a remanufactured one is around £150 upwards, a new starter is £250 upwards then labour on top

Just a rough look at prices

[wine~o]

To be honest, if I used a car that rarely, I'd hire one or get a taxi when I needed to.
Cars don't like being left standing for all sorts of reasons

I think this is the best advice. tax is X amount every year, insurance minimum £200 .. maintenance annual service/mot ££££'s

[OchAye]

Is the starter motor for the Toyota Yaris Mark 2 an expensive car part ?

Did you hear a clicking sound when you turned the key? If not, it is probably a stuck solenoid but it may cost you a new starter or worse. Such is life...

[Kirit]

Hi there,

There is a very quiet ticking noise. It's keyless entry, so I can hear the ticking noise every time I push the push button.

It may very well be the starter motor.
I'm still looking at prices of Toyota Yaris Mark 2 2009 Starter motors on ebay. Brand new and second hand prices.
I would prefer not to use euro car parts I looked at their website and find them quite expensive.

The garage have arranged a tow truck to collect the car from my driveway and drive it to the local garage (16 Feb 2018)

Hopefully that goes well. I shall continue to keep the forum updated with any progress.

[Bob225]

GSF is fairly good on price, Its worth calling a main dealer as sometimes the parts can be reasonably priced

don't buy any parts till its diagnosed properly it could well be the battery still

[Kirit]

So I got the car back from the garage today. It passed the MOT. Full and final price is paid. £470
£295 for starter motor
£95 for a battery with 2 year warranty
£40 MOT
£40 Tow service

Apparently the parts supplied were brand new, but as it was a trade account he couldn't provide me with any receipts for the parts. If I wanted receipts for the parts he would have to include VAT on the price for the parts.

Yep. I don't think I will return there for the MOT next year.

The mechanic also said he noticed that I hardly drive the car. Was I thinking of selling the car ? I'm not !
He also noticed that rust was forming on the brakes and anticipated changing the brakes when I apparently return to him next year for the MOT.

[OchAye]

Battery is a tad expensive, I guess for a Yaris at that price it would have a 5 year warranty (another story what is the warranty worth). MOT and tow fees are very reasonable which leaves you with the starter motor. If it needed one, then I don't think you got much to complain about.