Starting problems with 3sfe 88 Camry - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mk2-1jz · 03-30-2008, 12:03 AM

ok guys I dont know where else to turn with this, and I figure maybe you guys could maybe give me some insight. I have a 1988 toyota camry (4 cylinder 3sfe) and I'm having starter problems. Example: put key in, turn the ignition-> dash lights dim, ecu tics, solenoid ticks but starter does nothing. Also if you do this enough it drains the battery and you need to boost it.
What I know-> The solenoid is a part of the actual body of the starter, something is jamming or not letting current pass. (this is the second starter that does this) now its to the point where I have to take my summer car out in its place to go to work and school (which I'm really really not happy about because the weather where I live still isnt good....) A remedy for the past starter was a tap on the motor with a hammer, with somebody inside the car to turn the key. It was odd but it worked. Now I'm just stuck with a dead car, it stranded me last week, I put the other starter I had on it, boosted it and I was able to get it home, at which point it sat once it was turned off.
I changed the battery incase it wasnt keeping its charge ( I had a spare lying around which I charged overnight to put in) or I figured maybe it could have been the alternator, but that doesnt make sense becasue even with a FULLY charged battey the motor still wont go (with symptoms described above)
Does anyone know if there is a relay for the starter on this car, or maybe toyotas in general? Could it be an ignition switch problem?
I would really like to get this car back on the road to save my summer car from torture, I dont want it out another day until its 20+ degrees C outside.... which its far from right now...
any help would be greatly apreciated, Im really bumed about this, I've never found a problem that I couldnt fix, its discouraging...

Any steps for diagnosing this problem?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me...

nuron · 03-30-2008, 06:03 AM

People have put relays on there to give the starter the extra 'kick' I guess. You can search for it in the many threads about issues with the starter, though I don't know how to wire an extra relay myself. Is the second starter a remanufactured unit? A lot of times it takes several tries to get a good one.

mk2-1jz · 03-30-2008, 06:15 AM

I did that and it worked for a couple weeks, then it got to the point where the car wouldnt start at all. Like I mentioned, I've just about tried it all....

Kep · 03-30-2008, 10:41 AM

I think you will find that you need to rebuild the starter. Your main clues: 1) It gives one click when you turn the key and 2) It would sometimes start if you tapped it with a hammer. The contacts wear down and give these symptoms. There have been some excellent DIY posts with pictures showing the proceedure to replace the contacts (not too difficult). Search both Gen 1/2 forum and Gen 3/4 forum. Another alternative is to buy a used one. I think I got one for a 1990 3sfe for about $25 two years ago.

Kep

Mike Gerber · 03-30-2008, 02:00 PM

It sounds like you have the common starter solenoid contacts problem, especially since you can get the car started by tapping on the starter. That's usually a good test to varify the condition. The contacts inside the starter's solenoid get worn and corroded. Sometimes the current passes through them to the starter itself, but most of the time it doesn't. Do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem. Here is a DIY repair thread on replacing the contacts from another forum:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=166530

I usually recommend that people have their whole OEM starter professionally rebuilt when this problem surfaces, since you have to remove the whole starter anyway to work on the contacts. The quality of rebuilt starters available at most auto parts stores is questionable, IMHO. Check your phone book for an auto electrical rebuilder in your area.

Mike

atobe · 03-30-2008, 04:06 PM

i've been having this problem too haven't quite solved it yet.. i took my contacts out sanded them down to even copper colors again but it still 1 click when i try to start the car sometimes... lucky i had a spare starter and i just swapped it over and it works fine.. looking to try and rebuilt the broken one with new contacts soon.

mk2-1jz · 03-30-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kep

I think you will find that you need to rebuild the starter. Your main clues: 1) It gives one click when you turn the key and 2) It would sometimes start if you tapped it with a hammer. The contacts wear down and give these symptoms. There have been some excellent DIY posts with pictures showing the proceedure to replace the contacts (not too difficult). Search both Gen 1/2 forum and Gen 3/4 forum. Another alternative is to buy a used one. I think I got one for a 1990 3sfe for about $25 two years ago.

Kep

any keywords that I might find helpful?

atobe · 03-30-2008, 05:01 PM

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...86&postcount=4
http://www.startercontacts.com/install.htm
http://yotarepair.com/startercontacts.html should be more than helpful new contacts are only 8$

mk2-1jz · 03-30-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atobe

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...86&postcount=4
http://www.startercontacts.com/install.htm
http://yotarepair.com/startercontacts.html should be more than helpful new contacts are only 8$

thanks a lot, very apreciated!

mk2-1jz · 03-30-2008, 07:46 PM

where is the starter relay located as well? It doesnt apear to be under the hood fusebox, or its not indicated very welll.

mk2-1jz · 03-30-2008, 08:29 PM

changed the contacts, the car started. Ill post up if it screws up again. So far so good. thanks guys for all your help. I never would have guessed it could have been that!

atobe · 03-30-2008, 09:23 PM

there isn't a starter relay in the camry... where'd you get new contacts at so fast ?? local stores around me don't sell em

white90dx · 03-30-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atobe

there isn't a starter relay in the camry... where'd you get new contacts at so fast ?? local stores around me don't sell em

There is a starter relay on the 5-speed Camrys in the driver's kick panel, but they still show the same type of problem. (my 3s-gte Camry has a similar problem sometimes)

-Charlie

Doctor J · 03-31-2008, 08:46 AM

I just came across your post; two things:
if the lights DIM as you turn the key to the start the problem is either low battery or the starter has a short.
If there is no reaction when you turn the key (no click, lights stay bright, fuel pump turns on) – then you need to wire the relay to have solenoid getting power from the battery (as there is a bunch of marginal solenoids on the @#$%&&& rebuild starters).

mk2-1jz · 03-31-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atobe

there isn't a starter relay in the camry... where'd you get new contacts at so fast ?? local stores around me don't sell em

I had 2 other starters lying around. I took them apart and found that both of them had a contact that looked almost new. Like there was no pressure being put on them, no burn marks nothing. So I took one out of each starter and put them in the one I had on the car. I'm going to get NEW ones as soon as I can. But I needed to absolutly find a fix last night for the car because it snowed this morning. The Camry had to be back on the road....