1990 Camry LE V6 Starting issue

[urquell]

Hello,
My wife has a 1990 V6 camry LE that has developed starting problems. Sometimes when you turn the key you get nothin'. Other time it fires right up. I read many posts and decided the first thing to do was to replace the neutral safety switch. Which I did. Problem got better for awhile but it came back. Now I need to know what the next step should be. I am thinking of putting in a new starter. The only other things that I believe it could be would be the ignition switch or bad wiring. Anyway, if anyone has been down this road and can point me in the right direction, that would be great. Thanks, Urquell

[Mike Gerber]

This sounds like the common worn starter solenoid contacts problem. You can varify this the next time it doesn't start. Tghis simple test is best done with another person's help. Have someone hold the key in the start position while you go under the hood and tap the starter's solenoid with a small hammer or a wrench. Give it a good tap, but don't try to break it. If the starter turns with this test you have varified this problem. Then do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem and it's cures. It's been covered here numerous times.

Mike

[Doctor J]

If solenoid clicks but starter is not cranking, follow Mike's advice.
If solenoid is NOT clicking at all, check my "Starter Relay " post above the forum.
If starter works when small terminal is conneted to the battery + via "remote starter switch" the relay will help
If this is not helping, the starter brushes can be worn out and starter may need to be replaced.