Problem starting 1990 Camry.

[DPK99]

Camry Wagon 1990 V6.
For the past six months or so my car has been failing to start every once in a while. Up to last week it would not start on average of once every two weeks. To get my car to start I would tap on the starter solenoid with something and that would always work. I assumed that the solenoid had a dead spot after I had the battery and alternator and starter tested at Sears and they were fine.

However, over the past week and a my car has failed to started once per day, usually in the morning when I first try to use it. It eventually starts but takes much longer as I tap on the solenoid several time and even try moving the wire to the battery around incase that is bad.

I have concluded that the problem lies on the solenoid of the wire to the battery, but what confuses me is if I jump my car it will work fine on the first try, but my battery is not the problem.

Based on those symptoms, con anyone take a guess as to the problem, and why it would work when I jump the car if the problem is the solenoid or the wire?

[es250nut]

Common problem^ You need to spend $10 to $15 on some repacement solinoid contacts. It takes about 30 min to replace.

[DPK99]

Are the contact inside the solenoid?

[es250nut]

Disconnect you battery. On the solinoid housing is 3 screws, remove those and pull off the cover. There is a contact plunger under the cover that should just slide out. The contacts are behind the plunger. The battery side contact usally wears faster than the starter side contact due to arcing. It's usally a good idea to replace or use sandpaper on the plunger too as it is usally pitted and rough.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by DPK99

Are the contact inside the solenoid?

See thread below:

Repair your own STARTER