1st & 2nd Generation (19831986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
INTRO: Hello everybody I am was searching Google for my problem and found ToyotaNation.com I think that with the knowledgeable people on this site it may clue me into what is going on with my car. Brief HISTORY: Ok to start out I have a 91 Camry, great little car I have owned it for 2 1/2 years. I have run into my problems with it like water pump, gas tank leek, and break light electoral ground problems.
Current Problem: But for the past year if I drive my car and it gets a little warm (not over heating) and I turn the car off say at a store. I go into a store come out the car will not restart. I get no sound at all when I turn the key, starter does not turn, there is just nothing, I have lights indicating that there is power. But turn the key and nothing happens, now if I wait a little while say (1-2 hours sometimes more sometimes less) get in turn the key it will fire up with no problems at all. I dont have any problems in the morning turning the car on everything works great except this start thing. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.
Thank You ,
-Joshua Joshua@zancom.net
First of all, it's best to give more information about your car when asking for help. How many miles on the car and any maintainance done to the car and how long ago would help.
Do you hear 1 click when you attempt to start the engine and then nothing happens? If so, it sounds like you have the common worn starter solenoid contacts problem. Do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up about the problem and it's solutions. This has been covered numerous times on this forum.
You may also simply have a worn out starter. They have a tendancy to fail when they get hot. One quick test for this is to carry a jug of water around with you. When the car fails to start, pour the water over the starter and then try to start the car. The water cools the starter and may allow it to turn over the engine once again. If this test allow the car to start, then it's time for a new starter
If you have power but hear nothing when you turn the key try moving the shifter handle slightly one way or the other. You also might try moving it to N and try starting in Neutral. If that solves the problem, you have a problem with your neutral starting switch which is mounted on the front side of the transaxle. If you search this sight you will find a post detailing how to dissassemble and clean the switch which fixed my car. If you are hearing a click I suspect you have a problem with the start solenoid which is also an easy fix. Remove the starter and you will see a cover plate with 4 or 5 screw in it. This is the solenoid. Pull the screws and a plunger w/a spring on it will come out. The plunger has a circular contact on it. Clean that up with fine sand paper. There are also 2 L shaped contacts in the Solenoid housing that can become warn. If you carefully remove these, go to your local starter/alternator shop and buy a couple new ones. Should be less than $10. Let us know how this turns out!!SteveB
WOW fast responses thank you to all. But it seems that I did not put in enough details. SO here are some more details.
Mike Gerber: 198,000 miles Automatic 4 cylinder, 4 door, about 6 months ago I replaced the timing belt, water pump. The issue at hand has been happening throughout the last 2 years, mostly during the warmer days and/or long drives. The Clicking that I heare sounds like a solenoid that is in the cab under the dash not from the starter. I don't get any noise from the starter at all. The starter seems to be very strong but I will try your dumping water on it next time the Issue happens.
Fabbb: I have tried putting the car in Neutral, wiggling the shifter. I will try pulling off the starter and doing what you recommended after I do the water thing that mike described.
Thank you all, I will keep you updated and if I solve the issue I will post what the fix was. If any other thougths come to mind please le me know. I never thought about the starter being the issue, my mind was so focused on a heat sensor issue. Thanks so much.
Any body know of a good place to get a cheap starter?
- Joshua Hancock, Joshua@zancom.net
Last edited by zancom; 01-22-2008 at 12:42 PM.
Reason: :-)
I get no sound at all when I turn the key, starter does not turn, there is just nothing, I have lights indicating that there is power. But turn the key and nothing happens, now if I wait a little while say (1-2 hours sometimes more sometimes less) get in turn the key it will fire up with no problems at all.
Yep what he said - sounds like you have a weak solenoid and need to change the starter (which comes with a new solenoid). Also check your wiring to the starter and the battery cables - any fraying or missing insulation increases resistance to the starter.
I used to own a VW rabbit (The biggest POS car ever made, bar none) - it had the starter mounted directly under the exhaust manifold. There was a metal can designed in by the factory to act as a heat shield, but this did nothing as as soon as the car got hot - it would not restart. The guy at the VW shop showed me how to wire the starter directly to the battery using a relay, which barely helped at all. I finally dumped this junker and got a Nissan Sentra and decided to forgo all VW's in the future -
Heh heh, all good advice. You may also want to check the Celica forum for tips. The GT-Four (the Turbo, AWD Celicas from Europe and Japan that were named All-Tracs here in North America) has the same problem, and I recall seeing several posts on the issue there.
__________________ 1990 5spd V6 Camry (Still kicking at 393,000km) 1991 Celica GTS -- Pappa needs a 3SGTE...and AWD for all this friggin' snow
Honda my A$$, you just can't kill a Yota...
The weather just warmed up here in Washington and my car has not wanted to start twice and after dumping water over the starter to cool it off it fired up with no issues. Thank you for a suggestion that really pointed me to the real issue. Thank you for the helpful advice. I would also like to thank everybody who responded to my issue.
On a side
Does anybody know of a good forum for ford trucks?
The weather just warmed up here in Washington and my car has not wanted to start twice and after dumping water over the starter to cool it off it fired up with no issues. Thank you for a suggestion that really pointed me to the real issue. Thank you for the helpful advice. I would also like to thank everybody who responded to my issue.
On a side
Does anybody know of a good forum for ford trucks?
You're welcome.
You can try AutomotiveForums.com for a Ford truck forum.
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91 Camry will not restart after long drive.
Thank you all, I will keep you updated and if I solve the issue I will post what the fix was. If any other thougths come to mind please le me know. I never thought about the starter being the issue, my mind was so focused on a heat sensor issue. Thanks so much. 
Any body know of a good place to get a cheap starter?
1990 5spd V6 Camry (Still kicking at 393,000km) 1991 Celica GTS -- Pappa needs a 3SGTE...and AWD for all this friggin' snow
Linear Mode
