Any ideas what the prob could be?

[jammydodger87]

Just wondering if anyone has any idea about a problem with my partners car. It's a Toyota Corolla, H reg auto, and it is having troubles starting, you turn the key over and it will take sometime to start. Sometimes it starts striaght away, sometimes it might take 5 seconds and a bit of revving. Someone told me it's just because its an old auto, thats how they are, is this the case?
Any ideas appreciated.

 

[luvduvs]

Battery? Alternator?

 

[jug]

it depends if the starter motor is turning at its usual speed. if it sint then the battery is flat, either because you need a new battery or because the alternator isnt charign the battery or because there is a fault in its circuit (usually a rusty earth strap). alternatively it could be due to weak ignition due to plugs and leads that have not been changed in line with the service schedule. anotehr option is low compression, which is not unusual on old enignes, and leads to poor starting especially in the cold.