If Your Vehicle Will Not Start - Toyota 2003 Matrix Owner's Manual

If your vehicle will not start—

(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure
you have followed the correct starting
procedure given in "How to start the
engine" on page 184 in Section 3 and that
you have sufficient fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is
turning over too slowly—
1. Check that the battery terminals are
tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch
on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out
when the starter is cranked, the battery
is discharged. You may try jump start-
ing. See "(c) Jump starting" on page
199 for further instructions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will
not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair
shop.
NOTICE
Do not pull−or push−start the vehicle.
It may damage the vehicle or cause
a collision when the engine starts.
Also the three−way catalytic converter
may overheat and become a fire haz-
ard.
198
'03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
If the engine turns over at its normal
speed but will not start—
1. Turn the ignition key to "ACC" or
"LOCK" and try starting the engine
again.
2. If the engine will not start, the engine
may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See "(b) Starting a flooded
engine" on page 198 for further instruc-
tions.
3. If the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota
dealer or qualified repair shop.
2003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine
may be flooded because of repeated
cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to "START"
with the accelerator pedal held down.
Keep the key and accelerator pedal these
positions for 15 seconds and release
them. Then try starting the engine with
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 15 se-
conds of cranking, release the key, wait
a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer
or qualified repair shop for assistance.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 se-
conds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.