Why am I having problems starting the engine at times?

hi make sure there is no starter kill circuit aftermarket alarm ,or remote starter if so i need the brand of the system by jumping the starter under the hood with remote start u need the ignition key to be in the run position before u crank the engine over then if it is the starter relay in the fuse box under the hood the engine will run just relace relay or check wires under the fuse box for corrosion hope it helps danny

Would youlike to remove the alarm,its a aftermarket alarm,you got 2 ways of starting it through the engine compartment using the starter solenonoid.Go under the dash (you will have to disconnect the alarm horn) under the dash near the ignition switch you will see where they have bypassed the starter ignition and connected a relay. on the relay is one of your starter wire on the other is the other part of the starter wire remove the relay and establish the connection orginally and you are done.

Dependa on the alarm system you have if it is sentry key imobilizer the dealer has to remove and reprogram the alarm module if you have a aftermarket alarm go under the dash and remove the relay and restore wires that have been bypass to the starter and restore it in its original condition. If its a plain starter disable system you will need to acces the starter relay open the cover (located in the engine fuse junction box) expose the relay have someone in the vehicle turn key on vehicle in park or nuetral foot on the brake collapse starter relay and you will start. this is the common alarm for this year and make if this is what you have always make sure the E brake is on and your not in front should it happens to start in gear and run you over

If the alarm is aftermarket I would remove it , I see this problem several times a month , take a test light and test for power at the starter signal wire while someone turns the key to crank this is the small gauge wire going into starter,if there is no power at this wire it will not crank ,if you momentarily apply voltage to the starter signal wire it will crank( also check starter signal fuse)(most alarm systems have a starter interrupt system ,and the aftermarket alarms fail after a few years) Alot of people believe there alarm is factory because it was there when they bought it new but dealer do add alarms that are aftermarket to please there insurance companies

The problem sounds electrical and one of several problems it could be. Here are the possibilities:
Starter Relay - Switch the starter and AC relays, these are the same relay type doing different jobs
Alarm Starter inhibitor - If you have an alarm installed, cut the main power wire to the alarm
Voltage Regulator - Try jumping the vehicle, if it jumps test the battery if it doesn't replace the battery if the problem persist after replacing the battery remove the alternator and test it
Dead Cell in battery - Try to jump the battery, if it starts then replace the battery
Blown 80 amp in-line fuse - This is usually a small bump looking fuse, you can by pass this but first test for continuity by using a multimeter and connect on each side of the fuse.
grounded positive cable - If a cable has been running close to the frame or engine it may have worn a spot through the insulation and maybe grounding and that will interfere with the starting.

Aftermarket alarm, look for the small button under the dash or hiding under the steering area press and hold it then crank and start the vehicle. If you cant find it be prepared to just remove the alarm system you will need to go under the dash at the ignition starter signal and remove the alarm starter relay and restore it to its original way. depending and the manufacture of the alarm these alarm that where installed for Toyota are a headache and fails all the time

Thats not a factory alarm that aftermarket. go under the steering column and remove the whole alarm set up. or better yet find a relay that is attach to the starter signal (match the color) and restore how it used to be then you should be able to crank the car , if you sucessfull have bypass the alarm then go ahead and look for its ground and just cut it. The aftermarket cuts into the ignition switch starter signal so that is where you locate the starter relay alarm.

For the security it allows for a cranking that the starter turning over but does not allow for spark,so you still have a starter problem , if there is a security it will be aftermarket it doesnt allow for start on the starter, you changed the ignition? on the wires is there any form of other connection going to a relay? if there is that is the aftermarket alarm

If your starter relay clicks, check for power coming out of the relay. You most likely have a starter issue, or if you have an aftermarket alarm, remove that first.

Sounds like you have an aftermarket alarm with starter disable. By disconnecting the battery the alarm reset and the defualt setting is usually to set the alarm automatically (active arming). You have three options..
A. If you have the key fob that went with the alarm you can disarm the alarm.
B. If no key fob is available you can disconnect the battery again, turn the ignition key to the on position and reconnect the battery. This usually doesn't allow the alarm to set and allows the car to start.
C. Remove the aftermarket alarm system. This is usually the long term fix i recommend if the fob isn't available. Option B should get you going though.