90 Camry Starter Motor?

[John Martens]

Stopped by a store earlier today and when I came back out to start the car, I turned the key and...nothing...my heater fan turned on...my radio antenna went up, but no response from the engine. I've done the search and found lots of entries for the starter motor clicking once or a few times and found the thread for repairing the contacts on the starter...

I opened the hood and gave the starter a few whacks from my hand, went back in and it started right up...


Will repairing the contacts as it mentioned in the other posts help me out here? I know I've got to clean the battery posts and will do that tomorrow morning. I've picked up a starter motor core from a junker and was thinking about swapping it out...(Toyota up here wants $440.00 for a new one)

Thanks again!

John (noobie)

[John Martens]

I think I found my answer and the possible fix.

remove the small wire from the starter and jumper it to the hot terminal of the battery. That would check if the starter motor is ok.

another possiblility was the Ignition switch...the Camry does have over 350,000 km on it...

[Doctor J]

If it is automatic transmission equipped, it could be neutral start switch.
Also if starter motor brushes are worn, the pull-in solenoid coil will not work.There will be no click from the solenoid in this case.