94 4-cyl starting issues

[TKde0]

My sister's car is having some issues with starting. Sometimes the car will start the first time with no problems, but most of the time it doesn't. When the key is turned the first few times, it acts like the battery is dead. But if you try it a few more times, it will start just fine. The battery, starter, and alternator have all been checked and they are fine. This same problem happened on my Mercury and the problem was the ignition lead to the starter became corroded. But that was a common problem with my specific vehicle, are there any common problems with the Camry that I could check out that would cause this?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Mike Gerber]

Are you hearing any clicks when it doesn't start? If you are hearing a series of rapid clicks, then you have a problem with the battery, the connections either at the battery or the starter end, or with the alternator or alternator belt. If you hear only 1 click, then you have a problem with the starter's solenoid. This is a common Toyota problem (actually a problem with Denso starters). The contacts inside the starter's solenoid have worn down. Do a search on this forum for starter contacts. It has been covered many times.

Here is a post on replacing the contacts yourself:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=166530

You can also opt for a new or rebuilt starter, as I did on my generation 4 when it had the starter solenoid contact problem.

Mike