Trouble starting 99 Camry - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Mahonri · 12-05-2007, 11:08 AM

Hello All,

I've got a Camry that will not start. The dash lights will come on, the power windows and locks work. I've tested the battery and it is fine. When I turn the ignition key, I hear a faint whirring sound instead of the high pitch helicoptor about to fly away sound.

I'm suspecting that either the starter or alternator has gone bad. How can I rule out one or the other?

Thanks,

Dallas

Curry · 12-05-2007, 11:16 AM

The car would still start if the alternator doesn't work, it just wouldn't charge the battery.

ghettosled · 12-05-2007, 11:40 AM

its your battery - try jump starting it. its takes a lot of power to crank the engine over, so the clicking noise is the starter letting you know there isnt enough power. interior lights, windows, ect., will still work because those require a lot less power.

Mahonri · 12-05-2007, 11:53 AM

Well, I thought it was the battery too since I've replaced it two times before. I took my battery in to Sears for them to test it. They actually gave me a new battery even though the old one tested OK. The old one had developed a crack at the top. Since it was still under warantee they gave me a brand new one.

I put the one in and same result. Do new batteries need to be charged up?

Thanks for your help!

digmycelica · 12-05-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahonri

Well, I thought it was the battery too since I've replaced it two times before. I took my battery in to Sears for them to test it. They actually gave me a new battery even though the old one tested OK. The old one had developed a crack at the top. Since it was still under warantee they gave me a brand new one.

I put the one in and same result. Do new batteries need to be charged up?

Thanks for your help!

It's your starter bendix,
Replace the starter...
That is the answer to your problem..

1996camry · 12-05-2007, 12:16 PM

why you say the starter is the problem? do you heard a click when you crack the car at all? can your car crack (alternative belt) turn when you try to start the car?

if the alternative belt can turn then it's not your alternator...

if you don't heard a click, then it could be your starter

if you can take out your starter and go near advance zone to have them check out.....

Mahonri · 12-05-2007, 12:16 PM

It sure seems like the starter to me. Is there any way to easily confirm that it is the starter gone bad? I'd hate to order and replace the wrong part. Also, can you give me some pointers on replacing it?

Thanks a bunch!

Curry · 12-05-2007, 12:21 PM

Try jump starting it and see if that works. Then check the voltage across the battery with the car running and see what you're getting with all your accessories off. You should be getting around 14 volts.

Mahonri · 12-05-2007, 12:22 PM

I just went and tried to start it again. There is definitely no clicking sound. I can hear an initial relay click, and then I hear a very low volume noise that sounds almost like a fan spinning for as long as I have the ignition key turned.

Curry · 12-05-2007, 12:29 PM

It probably is the starter but just for the sake of checking,

did you try to jump start it? Can you check the voltage of the battery as it sits right now.

Mahonri · 12-05-2007, 12:31 PM

I'm headed out to try and jump it right now and test the voltage. Be right back.

Black95Cam · 12-05-2007, 12:33 PM

sounds like a starter issue. if you can, you can remove the starter and alt and take it to autozone and let them check it.

Mahonri · 12-05-2007, 01:01 PM

I just tried to jump start it. It would not even turn over. I tried several times and finally gave up. Unfortunately, my voltage meter is kaput, so wasn't able to get a voltage reading either.

I've never replaced a starter on one of these Toyotas. Can any of you give me some pointers on where it is located?

Thanks,

Dallas

Mahonri · 12-05-2007, 01:28 PM

If I don't hear any clicking, does that mean that the solenoid has gone out? If so, is it worth it to just try and replace the solenoid only?

1996camry · 12-05-2007, 01:56 PM

if you get starter from autozone...they're rebuilt...i recommend buy online toyota OEM and cheaper than dealer....

99% is the starter..normally the starter goes bad..u don't hear a click when u try to crack the car at all...what year and model and engine of your car? i try to download the manual of your car and take it out...

call around autozone see if they can do a test the starter still in the engine....i think they should be able to test thru. the battery and tell if the starter is bad... give a try call around autozone and advance zone see if they can test starter still on the engine..

it's easy to take it out...but before u ready to take off the starter...

take the negative battery off and make sure not contact any matel parts ( because it spark)...

tell me what model and year and engine (4 or 6 cylinder)...i can give more steps to do....

try to download the manual of your car (toyota) and it's helpful...it depends on the model and year of car...not hard to replace the starter.....

if u do, u save $$$$$....