3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Today I took the car out of the garage to have room to move some things around and when I went to put the car back in it wouldn't start. After a few attempts it started up. Later my wife tried to start it and it wouldn't start for her. I made several attempts and it finally started. Went in the house and read my Haynes and found a few things it could be.
Went back to the garage, turned the key and it started right up and I repeated turning it off and restarting about 20 times and each time it started without fail.
When it doesn't start all the lights on the dash go on as normal, however there is no rotation of the engine and no clicking or any other sound. Battery posts are clean and the cables are tight.
Before I start spending money on DIY or a mechanic (I'm not familiar with electrical), I thought there might be some thoughts from the folks here.
Mine is the 94 V6 and I am having the exact same problem for about 3-4 weeks now. The battery is only about one year old and I had its condition checked out OK. Yesterday, I also charged it up with the battery charger but it still wouldn'd start this morning - i.e. headlight not dimming, no cranking, no noise from the engine, just a single click noise. I tried it about 6 times and gave up. Earlier tonight, I was going to jump start it but when I cranked the ignition, it started up on the first try. It seems to me like a faulty starter motor.
A friend of mine who is a Volvo service advisor suspects the ignition module which may be causing the problem. To replace the ignition module is a breeze, like changing a light bulb. The cost of the module is about $100+. I am not too sure if it is 100% the case. If I bought it and it still won't start, I'd have to eat up the cost. Since the car started tonight on the first crank, I drove it to my mechanic's garage and leave it to him to figure out the rest tomorrow.
I had a very smiliar problem with my Mazda MPV 15 years ago and a new ignition module fixed the problem. I remember the Mazda parts was very expensive (+/- $500) but Camry parts should be a lot less. If you are handy and can return the ignition module if it is not the cause of the problem, you may give it a try. If you can wait a couple of days, I'll also post my repair results after tomorrow.
had the same problem last month. it was the connectors on the starter. check your connection to the starter because either the wire isnt quite clicked into place or the connectors may be corroded. i had both problems. i took my starter to the junkyard and got the connectors replaced for $30.
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92 Camry LE
CAI , Strut bar, Black DEPO housings with 2.5 in Hella projector retrofit, 4300k HIDs, Clear Turns Running Lights, Eagle Alloy Rims, Noyka Yellow Fogs
I just got a call from my wife and the car started right up. It is sitting in the garage and hasn't moved from that spot since last night. I'll check connections tonight when I get home from work.
My concern is having my wife get stranded somewhere in the weather we are having - 15 degrees and about 20" of snow at my house over teh past couple of days.
Thanks for the advise/suggestions and I will post any findings I come up with.
Sounds like the common starter solenoid contacts problem. Do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem and it's cures. Also check all connections to and from the battery and starter as has already been suggested.
Okay, the snow finally stopped, I plowed my drive (6,000 sq ft) for about the 20th time and finally had time to look at the car.
Before I start, let me say that the car has been starting for the last two days, but I figured I would check all connections to the battery cable. Everything appeared to be in good shape. I removed the terminals and cleaned them as well as the posts (looked clean, but sometimes the simplest thing is the problem. Started up the car, brought it off the ramps and parked it.
About five minutes ago my wife went out - car would not start. She tried another key (hey, you never know), but still wouldn't start. She then turned the wheel slightly and moved the gear selector (just jiggling it) and the car started.
My thought it is the gear selector (isn't fully engaging in "park"). I know I read something in another post, but now I can't find it. So while I continue my search, is anyone has any experience with this, please feel free to jump in.
Again, thanks for all the assistance to this point. It helped to have the suggestions to work with.
My daughter's did this. Sometimes no audible (from inside car) click and sometimes a single click. No click could be your shift lever as stated or it could be the solenoid. Single click may be a worn or burned spot on the brushes. The easy fix for both of these problems is a new starter. My experience is that it is not usually the shift lever. When it does it have the wife turn the switch while you stick your head under the hood and listen for a click. I did not hear it the first time until I opened the hood. Good luck.
Well, my wife took the car to work, made two shopping stops on the way home, and had no problems. I know it hasn't fixed itself, but maybe buy me some time until the weekend.
The next time you are at home and it doesn't start, have you wife hold the key in the start position while you go under the hood and tap the starter's solenoid with a wrench or a small hammer. Just give it a good tap, but don't try to break it. If the starter now cranks the engine you have varified the worn starter solenoid contacts problem.
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