cold weather starting problems for 1989 Camry with3s-fe

[JOET/CAMRY]

Hello,

I have a 1989 Camry 4 cylinder with around 257,000 miles on it. Been having a problem starting it up when the weather and engine is cold. I turn the key and only hear the clicking of some relays. I think they are located near the kick panels and maybe behind the glovebox. This has been happening off and on since the cold winter weather has arrived. (I live in MA.)

How I eventually get the car to start is to leave the key in the on position and dissconnect the small wire from the starter. Then I use a jumper wire and touch it to the starter contact (where the small wire plugs into) to the positive battery terminal. The engine starts right up when I do this. I rebuilt the starter a few months ago with a kit that contained new contacts and plunger. I'm sure the starter is fine. I tried jiggling the shifter and putting the car in neutral while holding the key in the start position and it didn't make a difference. I'm not sure if the neutral saftey switch is bad. I would like some advice as to what to do about this. It really sucks upening the hood and jumping the starter to get this car to start especially when their is a foot of snow on it. Thanks.

JOET/CAMRY

[atobe]

read the starter relay thread up on the sticky section above

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by atobe

read the starter relay thread up on the sticky section above

Thanks for the reply atobe,

I did read that sticky before I posted. I believe the problem had to do with a no start condition only when the starter was hot because of engine heat.

My no start problem happens only first thing in the morning when the engine and weather is cold. when the engine is warm or hot and durring warmer weather the car starts right up, no problem.

JOET/CAMRY

[Jimnist]

Maybe your ignition coil is cracked? If moisture gets in, it can lead to hard starts. But it also causes rough running

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by Jimnist

Maybe your ignition coil is cracked? If moisture gets in, it can lead to hard starts. But it also causes rough running

The coil is in good shape. The car runs fine once it is running. I'm just having problems (every now and then) starting it up when the engine and the weather is very cold. I have to jump the starter. see my original post. Thanks for the reply though.

JOET/CAMRY

[hzt30]

Neutral start switch could be a possibility.

Maybe a bad ignition switch. Did you try to recycle the key by turning it to the start position and then back to the OFF position several times? Did you check for a good 12 volts at the starter terminal when in the start position?

[white90dx]

atobe is right, just add the extra relay circuit. You can get all the parts easily by buying a wiring harness meant for fog lights.

-Charlie

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by hzt30

Neutral start switch could be a possibility.

Maybe a bad ignition switch. Did you try to recycle the key by turning it to the start position and then back to the OFF position several times? Did you check for a good 12 volts at the starter terminal when in the start position?

Thanks for the advice hzt30,

I did what you said (in red) and it didn't make a difference. My next step is to check for 12 volts at the small wire to starter connection when the key is in the start position. Have to carry my digital volt meter with me all the time as this is an intermittent problem.

JOET/CAMRY

[white90dx]

Cold battery = lower voltage = no crank. Add the relay!

-Charlie

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by hzt30

Neutral start switch could be a possibility.

Maybe a bad ignition switch. Did you try to recycle the key by turning it to the start position and then back to the OFF position several times? Did you check for a good 12 volts at the starter terminal when in the start position?

Update,

I removed the small wire that plugs into the starter solenoid and with my digital volt meter tested the voltage that it has when the key is turned in the start position. It had a reading of 11.4 volts. Apparently it was enough voltage to operate the starter in the warm weather but not in the real cold weather.

I ordered a (12 volt 70 amp heavy duty) relay on ebay for $12.00 w/free shipping.
Will install it asap using the instructions provided by Dr. J. Will post back with the results.
JOET/CAMRY

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by JOET/CAMRY

I ordered a (12 volt 70 amp heavy duty) relay on ebay for $12.00 w/free shipping.
Will install it asap using the instructions provided by Dr. J. Will post back with the results.
JOET/CAMRY

Second update,

I installed the relay I ordered from a seller on ebay and the installation went smoothly. I bought the wire and all the connectors from radio shack. It has been a week since I installed the relay and no more cold start problems for my camry. The small wire going to starter now puts out 12.5 volts. Here are a few pics of what I did.







Thank you Dr. J for posting the info on the relay mod.

JOET/CAMRY