Newbie 87 Camry LE Auto

[acfloyd23]

Hey guys,

I am new to the forum but am a regular on alot of other forums. No other place can I learn as much and feel more confident than on these forums. I just bought my Camry for 600 with it only needing new brakes and leaking a little power steering or oil. Anyhow, the car started fine when I looked at it and rides, runs, and shifts so smooth for a car with 240,000 miles on her. Two days after I started having starter problems with the winding/grinding noise when you turn the key, apparently the starter not engaging or spinning on the fly wheel, which after waiting 10-15 seconds and maybe going through the gears it will fire right up. I replaced the starter from Advanced Auto Parts yesterday and it started fine the rest of the day and all day today. Just now had the same problem only once, but was able to start it three times in a row no problem. Is it that I got a bad starter or that I have an issue past the starter. I paid 600 for the car, love it but really wasn't planning on dropping lots of money. I have a warranty on the starter, but anyone think thats what my issue really is? Thanks for the help guys. I hope its simple, I absolutely love this car!

Aaron

[atobe]

read the starter relay in the top of the forum that'll probbly help you out

[Sturdavj]

[87CamryTan]

I'm having the same problem with my Camry. I think it may be the neutral safety switch because the car never starts in neutral and after I go back and forth with the shifter it finally starts. May be the case with your car too. I just learn to deal with it considering the parts stores want $200 for it around here.

I'm also having the same winding/grinding noise after I replaced my starter. Im thinking it might be th ring-gear and considering you have to remove the transmission to replace that im okay with it. Doesn't happen that much anymore anyways since I got the new starter.

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by 87CamryTan

I'm having the same problem with my Camry. I think it may be the neutral safety switch because the car never starts in neutral and after I go back and forth with the shifter it finally starts. May be the case with your car too. I just learn to deal with it considering the parts stores want $200 for it around here.

I'm also having the same winding/grinding noise after I replaced my starter. Im thinking it might be th ring-gear and considering you have to remove the transmission to replace that im okay with it. Doesn't happen that much anymore anyways since I got the new starter.

You can clean and adjust your neutral start switch and probably fix your problem for free (errr... for some of your time).

As for the starter noise - you probably have worn teeth on the starter or the flex-plate ring gear. As long as it always starts, just live with it, I guess. It might be worth taking a peek at the gears (pull the starter and look) to see if there is anything obviously wrong though.

-Charlie