Today's Automotive

This is Michael and I am the owner at Today's Automotive.

Your concern and an issue with your Corolla was that you were not able to start your car in the morning.
First of all, your car did start on an first attempt after an over-night cold soak test. At that point, we did our diagnosis to further determine what might have caused your car to not start in the morning. Let me remind you that it is NOT "just plugged a device in to see what the car computer said". We tested your charging system to make sure it is not your battery and/or alternator, which might be too weak to turn the engine over. We have checked and tested the Starting System to ensure your Starter is functioning correctly. And,
we have reviewed "Technical Bulletin for Toyota Corolla" to see if this is a known issue and, hence, being offered one or more possible resolution(s) to address this "Crank but No Start" issue.

We had found following 2 DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) in your ECM (Engine Control Module):
P1603
P1604
We had explained to you what those two codes meant when you came in to pick up your car. We also said that we were NOT able to verify your concern on your Corolla since your car did start EVERY SINGLE TIME we tried.

Now, on $425, you said we " wanted to charge you $425! For spark plugs!"
That is simply and plainly not true!
This is what Wes, my service manager, had said to you and to your companion who was with you when we were explaining to you what can be done to address this issue.
We had seen 4 Toyota Corollas in the last as many months. And, we had recommended new Spark Plugs
and Throttle Body cleaning, which had helped the other previous 3 cases with the similar issues, since your car has 96,746 miles and you said you had not replaced Spark Plugs on your car.
$425, we said, would cover new Spark Plugs, installation of those, cleaning Throttle Body and 1-hour Diagnosis and Troubleshooting we had performed to chase this problem. Not just for Spark Plugs!

At AutoZone, any counter person can read the DTC codes. I am not disputing that. That is, however, all he or she can do! At my shop, though, the person who has seen your car is an ASE-Certified Master Technician who has over 20 plus years of auto repair experience.

I am glad your husband did replace the Spark Plugs as we had recommended!