3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Two months ago I got the started on my Camry replaced from a Toyota Dealership Service Shop. Then maybe after a month of so, this problem cropped up. Sometimes even after turning the key, the car only makes the sound like what you will hear in the Youtube audio file. Then if I keep cranking, it starts sometimes after couple of turns, sometimes maybe 10 turns.
Can somebody help me understand what could be the problem?
I finally got a chance to leave my car at the same delaer service shop. Just received a call from the mechanic that it is the starter again. Apparently there is a small gear inside the starter which has worn off and the entire starter needs to be replaced.
To go over the history a bit:
About 3 months ago, I had taken the car to the same shop with the starter problem. The mechanic recommended just replacing the electrical contacts and charged me $25 for parts and $404 for labor. At that time I was told that a new starter would cost a bit more with labor and I had asked them to replace the old one with a new OEM starter. The mechanic talked me out of it and went ahead with the electrical contacts.
Now that the starter is having some problems again, they are ready to charge me another arm and a leg. They are not going to charge for labor, but the new starter is going to cost me $382 incl taxes. I was arguing that they should then re-imburse at least the costs of electrical contacts which they made me pay last time, but they are not ready to do that.
Now couple of questions:
1) was I charged too much on labor the first time around?
2) does new OEM starter really cost that much? (non-OEM are sub 200 if I Google)
3) the mechanic that I was talking to right now said the mechanic that I talked to last time was wrong when he said that new starter will cost only a bit more than replacing the electrical contacts. According to the mechanic I am talking to right now, said that usually new starter replacements costs 350 (parts) and $400 (labor). Is this true?
Am fed up of paying so much for car repair. After paying today's bill of $382, I would have spent close to $3000 in the last 2 years on my Camry.
If anybody on this forum is from San Jose, CA area, can he/she suggest a non-dealership good car service shop? I am fed up of this service shop and its high service charges.
1) Yes. Removing and replacing the starter should be about 3/4 of an hour labor. I can't see replacing the starter's solenoid contacts adding any more than an additional hour to the job. You should know the labor rate your dealer charges.
2) Probably. Call around to another Toyota dealer or 2 in your area and get a price on a new starter from their parts department.
3) Once again their labor charge sounds rediculous. I would ask to speak to the service manager or service director and go over these labor charges with that person.
Also, when you ask a question on this forum, it is best to include what engine your car has. I 4 or V 6.
Wow, you got taken the 1st time. What should of happened the 1st time is have your charging system checked and if that checked good, then the starter replaced. As mentioned, 30 - 45 minutes tops to replace the starter. I would consider going to another mechanic next time.
If yer brave enough...take it up with the district/regional office. I'd be curious of what they had to say about the price you paid to have yer starter rebuilt. Even specialty shops don't come close to charging that amount.
Looking at the wife's 2001 Camry LE I4...the starter is right on top of the transmission. So the tech wouldn't even have to really crawl underneath the car or even pull the wheel. 5 minutes tops just to take the starter out!
Git yer receipt and look it over to see what the extra labor costs were. Also, was there a warranty with their work? Check fer that as well.
But most of all...if they don't do yer starter fer free...look fer another place to take care of you. Good luck!
Replacing the contacts in the starter should take a couple of hours at most; my guess, the total should be less than $300 for parts and labor even if they charge $130/hr labor rate.
From the way it sounded like in your clip, the pull-in winding in the solenoid is weak. Since the dealership had worked on the starter previously, they should take care of that for you at no charge. After all, they may have been the one who has caused your current problem.
N.E.O.
Last edited by new echo owner; 01-27-2009 at 09:07 PM.
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with that kind labor cost to replace a starter. Bunch of crooks.
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