Car trouble!

[Kav33r]

Hi all,

So my cousin has a 2019 Toyota Etios.
As of recently, if you turn the key and try and start the car, the dash lights just flash and dim faintly (similar to if the battery is low) and it barely cranks.
If you however keep the key turned and keep pumping the accelerator, the car slowly starts cranking and eventually kicks.

Is this just a battery problem or could it be something bigger than that?

Anyone knows whats up or had a similar experience?

Thanks!

 

[RaptorChris]

After the car starts once does it start normally afterwards or is this an everytime thing?

 

[Miz3r]

Sounds like battery, but also could be faulty alternator

Maybe take to an auto electrician to test alternator,

Aswell battery centre or somewhere like that to test the battery , even check to make sure the terminals on the battery are on and not corroded ,

 

[Kav33r]

After the car starts once does it start normally afterwards or is this an everytime thing?

Seems to be a bit temperamental.
Struggled to start on Saturday morning. Drove it about 15km. Had breakfast. Tried to start and same issue.
Drove about 30km after that. Did some shopping for about 2 hrs - and then it started fine.
Tried just now and same story except it took a lot more 'pumps' to get it started.

 

[OuTBreaK]

Sounds like battery, but also could be faulty alternator

Maybe take to an auto electrician to test alternator,

Aswell battery centre or somewhere like that to test the battery , even check to make sure the terminals on the battery are on and not corroded ,

I agree, a corroded or loose terminal diagnosed early could save you some head ache.

 

[Dannler]

most probably a bad battery and or a loose connection somewhere, pumping the gas causes that loose connection to make contact. have you tried the same with the clutch or brake pedal or just hitting the footwell.

 

[solz]

This almost sounds like a starter issue. But would just double check the battery, but it starting now and then would point me to believe the starter is not engaging.

So what you can try if you parked on a downhill and the car doesn't want to start, put it in gear and let it try to roll till the gear stops it then try to start the car again normally and see if it makes any difference as I once had something similar excluding the pumping did nothing for me

 

[ovisser1]

This almost sounds like a starter issue. But would just double check the battery, but it starting now and then would point me to believe the starter is not engaging.

So what you can try if you parked on a downhill and the car doesn't want to start, put it in gear and let it try to roll till the gear stops it then try to start the car again normally and see if it makes any difference as I once had something similar excluding the pumping did nothing for me

If it was starter, I would say the lights on the dash would not have been affected?
Flickering lights normally means not enough power.
I don't think a starter can pull more than its rated for event when dying?

Honest opinion/questions, I'm by no means a mechanic.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Go and get your battery tested and take it from there.

 

[Gurshick]

If it was starter, I would say the lights on the dash would not have been affected?
Flickering lights normally means not enough power.
I don't think a starter can pull more than its rated for event when dying?

Honest opinion/questions, I'm by no means a mechanic.

If the starter motor is beginning to seize up it might start to pull alot of amps to turn but it isn't a very common way for a starter to fail as far as I know. But agree on checking the battery and loose connection.

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[ovisser1]

If the starter motor is beginning to seize up it might start to pull alot of amps to turn but it isn't a very common way for a starter to fail as far as I know. But agree on checking the battery and loose connection.

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Thank you.
That again means testing a new battery anyways.
If a new battery gives the same issue, its the starter. If a new battery doesn't produce the same issue, its the battery/alternator.

But the fact that you can drive the car without it dying, means the alternator is most likely working as expected.
I say most likely, because I have heard that an alternator can overcharge a battery and kill it faster while still being "functional" if its on its way out.

Still very unlikely AFAIK.

@Kav33r
20minutes at a battery center would most likely show you where your problem is, and I have my money on a dead battery.
They normally test it for free, so you would know where the problem is before spending money.

 

[Kav33r]

Thanks guys for all the help.
Seems like it might just be the battery
Got back from battery center this morning

SOC: 12.73
RATED: 525CCA
MEASURED: 266CCA

BAD & REPLACE

STATE OF HEALTH: 50%
STATE OF CHARGE: 100%

They wanted R1600 for a new battery. Crazy because thats what it cost for me to replace the one on my SLK. Will call around and check

Will test with a new battery tomorrow.



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[NI∀ƆOƆ‾⊥ᴚ∩ʞ]

Try get a willard bud.

 

[NI∀ƆOƆ‾⊥ᴚ∩ʞ]

Willard Batteries – Midas Midrand

Midas Midrand | Midas Spares | Midrand Midas Johannesburg

midasparts.co.za

 

[Kav33r]

Perfect. Will pop by the local midas a little later on.

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[Kav33r]

So - update on this:
Went through and got the battery changed. Paid R900 for a Willard battery from Midas.
Car sounds as good as new (will also unfortunately have to be sold now though)

Thank you all!