What is wrong with my car?

[Red Camry]

camry wouldnt start this morning, it has sounded like it has been struggling to start for the past couple weeks. today it was the same noise its always made (slow spread apart noise like it was trying to turn)

i cleaned the terminals, then i replaced the battery, and still the same problem.

the plugs & wires have been replaced within the past 3 or 4 years..


any ideas????

[Mike Gerber]

You need to supply more information. What year Camry and what engine? How many miles on the car? What do you mean by (slow spread apart noise like it was trying to turn)? Is the starter turning over (cranking) the car or not? If it is turning over, does it sound like it is turning over at normal speed, slower than normal, or faster than normal? Have you checked for spark and fuel? Help us to help you.

Mike

[CharmCityES]

could be alot of things, from the starter to the alertnator to ignition coil
what engine do you have?

[Red Camry]

2.2 94 camry, 120k
i replaced the started with a used one last summer that only had like 60k on it.
it sounds like it would when it normally starts up only much much slower, and just keeps making that noise until it gives up and just stops making noise all together.

plugs & wires were replaced 3-4 years ago

if its making a startup-like noise then it cant be the starter, right?

[BlueFusion6851]

^It still could be. A short somewhere in the armature or field windings can turn a good starter into a slow, mushy, engine rotator.

BUT

Still check for spark and fuel... because you would still need those in order to have a running vehicle (Obviously.)

Hope this helps.

[TMetalMan]

Have you tried jump-starting it? I know you replaced the battery already, but it can't hurt to try.

[Red Camry]

yep i tried to jump it. no dice
i have a quarter tank. but it has always started up kinda slow before even when it was on full, but obviously never this slow

[toyomoho]

Try connecting the jumper cable directly to the solenoid electrical terminal on the starter or better yet after the solenoid at the motor. If the engine cranks normally the problem may be in the battery cables/terminals or solenoid.

[Luckynumber5]

^ I wouldn't recommend that to someone if you don't know they are capable or not don't want him jumping power to random places.

Be sure to check the transmission grounnd for a good connection, it should be a larger black wire near the starter on the transmission going straight to the battery or chassis ground. If it's loose or dirty that is most likely your problem.

[Semi]

Sounds like the comsuable part inside the starter is wearing out (don't know the name for it), but I had it replaced once because it was wearing to the point where it wouldn't start at all until like 15+ tries, it would sound like it is struggling to start like what you said, so just take it and get that thing replaced inside the starter and it should work again (it's two small piece of metalish looking thing), had mine replaced for $120 CDN

[Red Camry]

i was thinking that something in the starter was dying on me... it is being towed to the mechanics tomorrow

[Unco]

when you say you replaced the battery, do you mean that you put a new battery in? just checking.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by Semi

Sounds like the comsuable part inside the starter is wearing out (don't know the name for it), but I had it replaced once because it was wearing to the point where it wouldn't start at all until like 15+ tries, it would sound like it is struggling to start like what you said, so just take it and get that thing replaced inside the starter and it should work again (it's two small piece of metalish looking thing), had mine replaced for $120 CDN

I think you are referring to the starter's solenoid contacts.

Mike

[Red Camry]

yes new battery

[Red Camry]

car got towed this morning and it at the mechanics.... will update