My 94 Camry wouldn't start yesterday - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

max_dhn · 05-09-2009, 12:02 PM

Hi there,

My 94 camry refused to start yeserday when I went out shopping. It never happened before. When I came out of the grocery store, for no reason I couldn't start the motor. I tried a few times and the problem remained.

After about 15 mins before I called AAA to tow it to a garage, I looked it up on the driver's manual. It says that the connection of the battery may be loose, I checked it and no problem with that. Then it says "turn on the interior light and start the car again, if the light ...". I followed the instruction and guess what, the sound of the motor came back!

After I drove back and stopped the engin, I restarted it a few times. No problem!

I drove to campus this morning and it works normally.

So any idea about yesterday's failuare? Do I have to take it to the mechanist?

Thanks in advance! Any thought is greatly appreciated!

Mike Gerber · 05-09-2009, 01:36 PM

More information is needed here. What was happening when you tried to start the car? Did the starter engage and spin (turn over) the engine? Did nothing happen? If nothing happened, did you hear any click nosies? If so, 1 click or multiple rapid clicks? It would also be helpful to know what engine is in the car, how many miles are on the car and if any repairs or maintenance were recently done to the car.

Mike

max_dhn · 05-09-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

More information is needed here. What was happening when you tried to start the car? Did the starter engage and spin (turn over) the engine? Did nothing happen? If nothing happened, did you hear any click nosies? If so, 1 click or multiple rapid clicks? It would also be helpful to know what engine is in the car, how many miles are on the car and if any repairs or maintenance were recently done to the car.

Mike

Thanks for your response.

The electricity could be engaged. The lights on the panel were on when it was engaged. I think I heard 1 click and the clock dimmed when the click was heard. The engine is a 5S-FE 2.2 L one, and the milage is about 115,000. The hood was replaced recently.

Mike Gerber · 05-09-2009, 03:07 PM

"I think I heard 1 click"

This sounds like the common worn starter solenoid contacts problem. You can varify this problem yourself or with the help of a friend. The next time this happens, have you or your friend hold the key in the start position. The other person needs to go under the hood of the car and give the starter's solenoid a tap with a small hammer or a wrench. Just give it a good tap, don't try to break it. If the engine now cranks (turns over) you have identified this common problem. Then do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem and it's cures. It has been covered here numerous times.

Mike