RAY: As promised, this week's puzzler is automotive in nature, although you don't need elaborate automotive knowledge to figure it out.

TOM: Will there be declarification? Obfuscation? Will inky shadows be mentioned?

RAY: You never know! This was sent in by David Lane. He writes,

"One day, I drove my very reliable 1993 Toyota Corolla to the store. When I came out, it wouldn't start. The starter motor was silent. I turned the key, and there was no sound whatsoever. Repeatedly turning the key sometimes produced some clicking sounds under the dash but most of the time it produced nothing.

"I kept trying and, finally, after many tries, the starter motor kicked in and the car started right up. I considered myself pretty lucky.

"On the way home, I glanced at the dashboard. All the gauges read normal, and there were no warning lights on. But I noticed something, and immediately knew what the problem was.

"When I got home, I fixed it in just a few minutes."

So, what was wrong with David's car?

Think you know?

[ Car Talk Puzzler ]