Are the starters prone to heat soak on these engines? I know it's right under the exhaust manifold, so it seems it might be?

Here's what happened...

I drove for about 20 minutes on the highway today and I stopped at a drive-through window. I shut the car off for about 2 minutes and it would not restart (as in: turn the key and the starter does nothing). I went through the usual stuff (checked all the electrical connections, tested the battery voltage, etc.). That did nothing, so I pushed it into a space, and got a ride home.

When I came back an hour later with a truck and trailer, for giggles I put the key in to see if it would start and it fired right up.

I know on some older domestics that have the starter close to the exhaust, they are prone to heat-soaking the starter and having similar symptoms. You just have to wait for the starter to cool down enough to work.

Is this common with 3TC cars? Am I due for a new starter? Do I need to make a better heat shield? Your thoughts?

If it matters, it's an '80 Corolla (TE72).

I think you hit the nail on the head. AE86s also have the same problem.

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F*ck. Mine does the same thing. Sometimes won't start after sitting overnight, completely cooled down! New starter on mine, all components are good to go.

Sometimes it starts after I've lost my mind battling with it. It seems to feed on sadness...

Mine is original from 76 and it will act up every once in a while. I will just sit there and push the starter button a bunch of times and eventually it will kick. But usually it will only do that when it is cold.

What about using the generic starter blankets? I have one I was going to install on my old camaro.

Definitely a reasonable option. If it happens again, I'll know more if it's heat soak. I drove it for 30 minutes straight on the highway today, turned it off and it started fine. And started fine 4 more times in the span of 15 minutes.

The hardest problems to diagnose are those that are intermittent.



So far, that's what my "TE72 experience" has been like...

It usually happens only if you've been idling. Waiting at the drive thru (or showing off at a car show) usually results in it, but the latter is far more embarrassing

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My Ae86 had the same issue, starter blanket fixed the problem, I also ran a wire straight to the solenoid I keep it capped off next to the battery, normally if you get heat soak the straight wire will still start the car

Makes sense. I'll give that a shot to see if it replicates the problem.

I will most likely end up with the blanket treatment, but I probably need to fix a few minor oil leaks first. Don't want to just have an oil soaked blanket around the starter...

I think its a common problem on older toyotas. I had an 82 corolla sr5, an 82 truck and an 87 van with the same problem. My "easy" fix was to carry a hammer around, and bang on the starter anytime I was stuck.. haha

worked on my 95 gs-r too

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1978 280z 2+2
1984 Toyota Camry LE
Both in the family since new

I used to own an 82 SR5 1.8 coupe and NEVER had a problem with the starter. At least not the type of problem you mentioned.. and I owned that car for 3 years. I can only speak for the SR5 hardtop coupe.. not sure or if the wagon's exhaust /starter setup is different. Good luck with your starter woes.

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1987 Nissan "Datsun" S12 200sx XE notch
1988 Acura Da3 Integra RS
1981 Toyota Te72 Corolla
1983 Toyota Ae72 Corolla

I don't remember ever having a problem when I drove my 81' of course that has been several years ago.

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Jeff "Kingtoy" Brown
King of Toyotas
Sophisticated Toys - Toyota club

81 TE75 Corolla SR5 Sport Coupe modified
Custom 93 Toyota minitruck

I think it's just more-so old cars with old car parts...
Combined with being surrounded by heat, add it up and it's bound to happen.

Well, the problem hasn't resurfaced yet, so wish me luck...

Same thing with my rt105. sometimes it wont start but the starter is on the other side os ther is no danger of heat soaked. It's an auto so I put it in neutral and the car will start up then sometimes it's in park position and the car will start up????
This afternoon, I tried starting it. park setting,no go, then on neutral setting, still no go?

Once I got stuck one morning, went to chevron. Engine was already warmed up then suddenly it just wont cllick. Waited half hour and the car starts!! This was before I shorted my hi-beam lights.

Could be a bad neutral safety switch. If it happens again, move the gear selector back and forth and try again. Or push it forward (as if you're trying to go past Park) with one hand while turning the key with the other.

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I have a 3TGTE TURBO fitted to the KE series it has a geared starter the manifold gets red hot no problems so far since 1985.

This is a well known problem with the 3tc's. It will usually happen more in the hotter months too. Winter will usually be fine for the car.

Here is your answer.

http://www.3tcgarage.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=3781

Plan on maybe buying a Corona soon.. anyone know if this is a problem with the 20R or 22R engines?

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1987 Nissan "Datsun" S12 200sx XE notch
1988 Acura Da3 Integra RS
1981 Toyota Te72 Corolla
1983 Toyota Ae72 Corolla