89 Camry Starting Issue

[Eyetechno]

I have a 1989 Automatic Camry LX with just over 73,000km on it. Just yesterday, I had an issue with it starting where it didn't do anything but click on the 1st or 2nd turn. It would eventually start after the 3rd or 4th turn. I have had the car show the hot-no start symptoms last summer, however this recent issue occurred after the car was not used for just over 2 days and being kept indoors. This happened twice yesterday, but it's been fine today, although I expect it to show up again.

I am the second owner after my grandparents and the car had just over 39,000km when I got the car 2 years ago. The car did have to be jumped started a couple of time due to it sitting for extended periods, however the battery was relatively new when I got the car and I haven't had any issues up until now, except the hot-start. This is the first time it didn't start on a cold start, so could it be related to the car sitting for a while in the past?

On another note, the car was in for an oil change and check-up last week. After getting the car home, I notice a very faint smoke that almost looks like water vapour. I haven't seen it since, but it did catch me offguard. I also notice a buzzing sound near the break fluid after turning the engine off and taking the key out of the ignition. I attached a picture of where the sound is coming from and this is still happening after each use. Is this sound normal or is it possible something happened in the checkup?

Anyways, any insight into both those things would be great! The car is going in to the mechanic to take a look at the starting problem, but I'm not confident they will find anything.

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by Eyetechno

I have a 1989 Automatic Camry LX with just over 73,000km on it. Just yesterday, I had an issue with it starting where it didn't do anything but click on the 1st or 2nd turn. It would eventually start after the 3rd or 4th turn. I have had the car show the hot-no start symptoms last summer, however this recent issue occurred after the car was not used for just over 2 days and being kept indoors. This happened twice yesterday, but it's been fine today, although I expect it to show up again.

I am the second owner after my grandparents and the car had just over 39,000km when I got the car 2 years ago. The car did have to be jumped started a couple of time due to it sitting for extended periods, however the battery was relatively new when I got the car and I haven't had any issues up until now, except the hot-start. This is the first time it didn't start on a cold start, so could it be related to the car sitting for a while in the past?

On another note, the car was in for an oil change and check-up last week. After getting the car home, I notice a very faint smoke that almost looks like water vapour. I haven't seen it since, but it did catch me offguard. I also notice a buzzing sound near the break fluid after turning the engine off and taking the key out of the ignition. I attached a picture of where the sound is coming from and this is still happening after each use. Is this sound normal or is it possible something happened in the checkup?

Anyways, any insight into both those things would be great! The car is going in to the mechanic to take a look at the starting problem, but I'm not confident they will find anything.

Starting issue is caused by a slightly low voltage at the start solenoid, or a worn/weak starter solenoid. It can be a slight weak battery, corroded connection in the wiring harness, worn ignition cylinder or worn starter solenoid contacts. For now, when it happens, make sure all accessories are off (radio, fans, etc.) and your foot is off the brakes - this should give you the most power possible to start. From there, it will be a troubleshooting hunt to find the problem - find the link to the thread regarding adding a 'starter relay' in one of the sticky threads at the top of this section of the forum.

After oil changes, there is often a bit of oil that drips on to the exhaust (unless the shop was very careful) - any chance it was oil smoke? You would probably have smelled it in the car...

I have no idea what the buzzing could be. Try to track down the sound better - there is nothing that I can think of that would make a buzzing sound anywhere near the brake master cylinder where you circled in the picture.

-Charlie

PS. Resize that picture to about 800 pixels wide!

[holmesnmanny]

Sounds like something is draining the battery after you shut it off and leave it off for a few days. Maybe an alarm?