Clicking noise when I start the engine sometimes

[cnl83]

I have a 01 Camry 4 cylinder. Sometimes when I start the engine there is a clicking noise, which sounds like the fan hitting the plastic shroud, but its not coming from the fan at all. Its coming from around the alternator. It is intermittent. I cant reproduce it, or do anything to make it go away. It just does it when it feels like it!

Any help would be appreciated.

[ASG14]

How long does it click for and how many times?
When it happenes, is there any weird starting?
When it happens, does the car start right up, or do you need to turn the key a 2nd time?

[Kep]

Going along wiith ASG14's train of thought, when you turn the key and hear the clicking is the engine turning over like it should or do you just hear the rapid clicking instead?

My first inclination is that you are not getting enough power to the starter. Often it is as simple as loose and/or dirty connections to the battery posts. Clean and tighten often helps.

If it is one single click and the engine doesn't turn over it is likely your starter's solenoid is worn. This seems unlikely to me since it is only an 01.

If it is a metal to metal grinding or screeching then your starter's bendex gear may have worn out or it may have worn the teeth on the flywheel (not the right term for a Camry but I forget what they call it).

Kep

[JustinC25]

Originally Posted by Kep

Going along wiith ASG14's train of thought, when you turn the key and hear the clicking is the engine turning over like it should or do you just hear the rapid clicking instead?

My first inclination is that you are not getting enough power to the starter. Often it is as simple as loose and/or dirty connections to the battery posts. Clean and tighten often helps.

If it is one single click and the engine doesn't turn over it is likely your starter's solenoid is worn. This seems unlikely to me since it is only an 01.

If it is a metal to metal grinding or screeching then your starter's bendex gear may have worn out or it may have worn the teeth on the flywheel (not the right term for a Camry but I forget what they call it).

Kep

+1 to Kep on the starter not getting enough power. Toyota's are notorious for the contacts in the starter wearing out. I had this same problem with my camry. I replaced the solenoid contacts and it was fine. There may also be a problem with the ring gear on the flexplate like Kep had said.

I would start off by pulling the starter and inspecting the solenoid contacts. It will take 30 minutes tops. And if the contact show significant wear, you can replace them.
They typically run about 2-3 bucks each, and they're readily available most places that service electric motors.

[cnl83]

My car is already running when I hear the clicking. Its not the starter for sure. Its on the passenger side of the engine. I cant say how many times it clicks, because it does not always do it. Mostly when the engine is cold cold I have heard it. Even when its warmed up, I have heard the noise. Every time I hear the clicking noise I get out my car and pop the hood to see where the noise is coming from, but its really hard to troubleshoot.

It sounds like a fan is hitting the plastic shroud, but its not the fan.

I have a friend who had a car just like mine and had the same problem. I lost touch with friend to find out about it though.

[97vulcan]

could it be a relay going on and off??

just a guess

[cnl83]

How would I check for that?

and it sounds like something spinning thats making the click noise.

[ASG14]

Ding, you gave me the info I needed. When was the timing belt last changed and how many miles?

[cnl83]

Just bought it 90K miles...so probably never.

[ASG14]

Next time you start it and it happenes, touch the "plastic" timing belt cover and see if you feel anything.

My dad has a '96 camry I4 (Same engine). Around 58k miles, upon only cold startups, there was a slapping noise which took me a while to figure out. Turns out it was either the timing belt tensioner, or the timing belt stretching, and "slapping" the plastic cover (Hence the fan hitting the shroud sound).

Thats the only thing I can think of that it would be from the Passenger side and intermitten.

[cnl83]

I think you are right dude. I appreciate your help, and Ill post my results when I get the timing belt changed.

[ASG14]

NP. If it truely has never been done, at 90k miles, it's at the end of it;s use, lol. When you change the timing bel (If that is, in fact, the problem) also change the tensioner and the water pump. It;s basically preventative maintmence to avoid other issues. Other then that, if the plugs are original, change those too at this mileage, which can help your gas mileage.

[Kep]

^+1 on ASG14's TB.

Kep