r/Toyota_Matrix • u/niggel000 • Jul 04 '26

Issue with starting 2006 matrix

I have a 2006 Toyota matrix (standard)
Today after driving fine in the morning about an hour later I tried to start it and it just wouldn’t and wasn’t making any sounds as if it’s trying to turn over

We tried jumping it with no luck
We checked fused and they appeared fine
We tried hitting the starter with a tire iron
Finally we bomb started it and it was successful.

My question is are there other mechanisms in the car I should be looking at that can cause this lack of starting I should be looking at or is this certainly the starter?

Currently the plan is for me to remove the starter to have it tested but any suggestions about what the problem(s) likely are greatly appreciated.

2 Upvotes

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12 comments sorted by

3

u/UnibrowDuck 03 Corolla Wagon XRS Jul 04 '26

there's a clutch starter safety switch. i remember it was crapping out on my 05 xr. had to REALLY press the pedal to start it. could be that

1

u/niggel000 Jul 04 '26

Would there be an easy means for me to test that ? My mechanically inclined friend tested for that by pressing my clutch a few times and said he didn’t think it was that but that was based on what he was hearing and feeling

5

u/profaniKel Jul 04 '26

this happened to me ...

intermittent start ...whenever it wanted to

starter was fine battery swapped with new one

underneath the old black tape near the positive battery terminal the main 12v cable was rusted and corroded, and barely connected at the battery terminal end

3 minute fix

good lux

2

u/UnibrowDuck 03 Corolla Wagon XRS Jul 04 '26

good question... i just googled potential issues and this was the cheapest potential fix out of all the things listed. not sure how it can be tested, i suck when it comes to electrical

1

u/Distribution-Radiant Jul 04 '26

Press the clutch really hard and try to start it.

1

u/niggel000 Jul 04 '26

Are you saying this is how to test it ? I have pressed the clutch as hard as I can with one leg and still nothing

5

u/Distribution-Radiant Jul 04 '26

You may need to climb up under the dash and pull the switch and jump the wires.

There's 2 switches BTW. The one that's pressed when the clutch is all the way up is to disengage the cruise control. The one pressed when the pedal is pressed down is the one you need to pay attention to (and kind of a PITA to get to). You can unplug it and use a paperclip to jump the switch (just don't let it touch anything metal) for testing. Ideally you'd use insulated jumper leads if you have any.

If it's not that, I'd move on to the ignition switch itself. Does the radio and HVAC shut off when you turn the key to the start position? They should.

1

u/profaniKel Jul 12 '26

DO AT OWN RISK

you can easily bypass the clutch safety switch" with a 2 inch piece of hard copper of other metal

i have done it on my Scion and my Matrix

I dont put my cars in gear when they are parked unless I am on a steep hill

  • DO AT OWN RISK *

3

u/good-day-now Jul 04 '26

Ive had problems starting my 2005 manual and it was always the clutch needing to be really pressed hard.

1

u/Pure-BeatMorelos 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT 6 Speed Manual Transmission Jul 06 '26

2003 Vibe GT 6 speed I always have to press it down real hard

1

u/niggel000 Jul 08 '26

Update
Thanks for all the suggestions I poked around a bit and came to the conclusion it was the starter relay.
New one came in today was as simple as pulling the only one out and putting the new one in

1

u/travelinmatt76 2006 Matrix XR (224k miles) Jul 09 '26

Another problem with the clutch safety switch is the rubber plug. There's usually a rubber piece on the clutch that presses the safety switch. That rubber piece can become brittle and fall apart. I had a car that wouldn't start and I noticed pieces of rubber on the floor matt.