1998 Toyota Corolla Electrical Problems
13 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (13)
Your car's starter motor continued running even after you turned off the ignition and removed the key, causing it to crank until black smoke poured from the engine. The excessive starter activity created extreme heat that melted the engine wiring harness, charred the starter motor, melted the battery case, and damaged the battery cables. After the battery was reconnected, your power windows stopped working and the car needed to be towed home.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
You noticed smoke coming from the driver's side window switches in your electrical system. This indicates a potential electrical fire hazard that requires immediate attention. The switches may need to be replaced or the wiring inspected and repaired to prevent further damage or fire risk.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
ENGINE STARTER MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED. STARTER CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN AFTER ENGINE WAS STOPPED AND KEY WAS REMOVED. STARTER MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. CAR NOW INOP. SOME WIRING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. STARTER MOTOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT WITH REMANUFACTURED STARTER MOTOR IF AVAILABLE. *NM
CONTACT STATES: STARTER STUCK, COULDN'T SHUT OFF IGNITION. THEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE O DEALER, AND REPAIRS WERE DONE @ A COST OF $1,300. CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. IN THE PAST, WHILE TURNING KEY, ENGINE WOULDN'T START. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. SERVICE RECORDS STATED STARTER SHORTED OUT AND STARTER WIRES BURNED. REPLACED STARTER. *AK *NM
AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE BODY SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY IN AN IMPACT. THIS WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BEING AGITATED WHEN DRIVER'S SEAT WAS MOVED BACK AND FORTH.*AK
ELECTRIC WINDOWS DO NOT WORK WHEN EXTREME TEMP ARISE. COLD WINTER DAYS AMD EXTREME SUMMER DAYS. LOCKS ON DOORS POPPED OUT OF PLACE. WINDOWS SLIPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPARIED
MY CAR STARTER WOULD NOT STOP CRANKING AFTER I STOPPED AND PULLED THE KEYS OUT. IT KEPT CRANKING UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. A FIRE STARTED WHICH MELTED THE HARNESS. *PH
THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND SMELLED OF BURNING WIRE. NLM
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED DUE TOO OVER HEATING OF FAILED STARTER CABLE WHICH IGNITED A PLASTIC GAS LINE. YH
STARTER.
IGNITION FAILED. *YC
FAULTY WIRING CAUSED AIR BAG LIGHT TO GO ON. YH
HORN BEGINS HONKING WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS SQUEAKED AT VARIOUS PLACES,PLUS HONKS BY ITSELF TOO. YH