Starter problem...help please!

[ballz2wallz]

My wife's '98 5sfe won't start

This happened a couple of weeks ago, the key would turn and I would hear just 1 click - solenoid still works I guess from reading other threads. I changed the contacts and plunger in the starter, and was starting fine. Actually better than before.

Fast forward to today. Battery seems fine, lights seems to work properly, etc. Again, key turns just hear a click.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

[zq_frank]

most likely the battery died. I have met same situation before. If the stater has problem, it normally takes a few more times to start, won't die suddenly.

[djb2]

Given that you recently changed the contacts, that's the place to start checking.
Take the starter contacts out and inspect them. Perhaps one was misaligned or contaminated during installation.

It should be easy now that you are practiced in getting to the starter.

Post a few pictures of the solenoid contacts for other people that experience this problem in the future.

[hill8570]

Do you have a cheap-o multimeter to check the battery voltage with the lights on? I've seen these 5S-FE engines happily start (although a bit slower than normal) with a completely dead cell, but eventually the battery completely gives up the ghost. Or, you can simply try jump-starting the rig, although if that works it can either point to the old battery or dirty / loose / corroded post contacts.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by zq_frank

most likely the battery died. I have met same situation before. If the stater has problem, it normally takes a few more times to start, won't die suddenly.

But lights, radio, etc. seem to work fine. Do you think there is just not enough juice to power the starter? Could it be alternator too. I cleaned the contacts really well when I removed the battery last time to fix the starter.

Thanks

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by djb2

Given that you recently changed the contacts, that's the place to start checking.
Take the starter contacts out and inspect them. Perhaps one was misaligned or contaminated during installation.

It should be easy now that you are practiced in getting to the starter.

Post a few pictures of the solenoid contacts for other people that experience this problem in the future.

Thanks...I'll probably do that tonight if it is not the battery/alternator. Could it be the starter relay perhaps?

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by hill8570

Do you have a cheap-o multimeter to check the battery voltage with the lights on? I've seen these 5S-FE engines happily start (although a bit slower than normal) with a completely dead cell, but eventually the battery completely gives up the ghost. Or, you can simply try jump-starting the rig, although if that works it can either point to the old battery or dirty / loose / corroded post contacts.

Thanks...I'm gonna try to jump it tonight when I get home and see if that works and then drive it to autozone to have them check the battery/alternator. BTW, it's been bitter cold here in Nashville.

[#2!]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

But lights, radio, etc. seem to work fine. Do you think there is just not enough juice to power the starter?
Thanks

Yep

Iv seen it happen a lot . Everything seems ok and then the next time you try to start the vehicle it gives you one click. Lights and electronics all seem ok and sometimes you can even get 12 volts off of a meter but there is just not enough amps to push a starter.
Once I had it happen to my wife's car sitting in the parking lot at work. I got a ride to a parts store and bought a new battery. Before I installed it I gave another try and it started right up without any hesitation. I was able to drive it home and install the new battery there.

Ya its been a brutal winter allover. Cant wait for it to end.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by #2!

Yep

Iv seen it happen a lot . Everything seems ok and then the next time you try to start the vehicle it gives you one click. Lights and electronics all seem ok and sometimes you can even get 12 volts off of a meter but there is just not enough amps to push a starter.
Once I had it happen to my wife's car sitting in the parking lot at work. I got a ride to a parts store and bought a new battery. Before I installed it I gave another try and it started right up without any hesitation. I was able to drive it home and install the new battery there.

Thanks, that is the first thing I will try. I will try to jump it, if that works, then I'll swap the batteries out. My wife did indicate the instruments on the dash and lights dim when she tries to start it - perhaps this is an indication too that it is the battery?

[#2!]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Thanks, that is the first thing I will try. I will try to jump it, if that works, then I'll swap the batteries out. My wife did indicate the instruments on the dash and lights dim when she tries to start it - perhaps this is an indication too that it is the battery?

Every light will always dim or turn of while starting or trying to start. All the power gets pulled directly to the to the starter.
Jumping may not always work either.
Batteries can do funky stuff when there not working properly. Iv even fried a new pair of jumper cables and yes the polarity was correct. I checked it 5 times after it happened.

[peshwa]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

My wife's '98 5sfe won't start

This happened a couple of weeks ago, the key would turn and I would hear just 1 click - solenoid still works I guess from reading other threads. I changed the contacts and plunger in the starter, and was starting fine. Actually better than before.

Fast forward to today. Battery seems fine, lights seems to work properly, etc. Again, key turns just hear a click.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

Sad to hear that you still have problems after changing the starter contacts.
You may need a multimeter to diagnose the problems.
FWIW Harbor Freight has a Digital Multimeter. Not sure how it will hold up though
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...112&zmap=37772
You can find the electrical manual for your camry here

http://www.**********s.com/camry/

I remember seeing a diagnostic chart in the electrical manual there that you should try out first.
-Get the battery and alternator load tested if possible at Walmart/Autozone etc. They will do it for free.
-Verify the CCA rating of the battery advertised by manufacturer against the CCA rating of the load test.
-Inspect the fuses and wires. Maybe some wire is loose somewhere?
-Check for ground.
-Do you hear the fuel pump engage?
I have an intermittent 'clicking' problem with my starter and my starter solenoid contacts are waiting to be put into the starter.
Do post back once you find out the root cause and the fix
All the best

[JohnGD]

If the contacts are new, then take the car/battery to Autozone. They'll do a load test on the battery (not just a voltage test). They'll tell if the battery can deliver under load. It'll click if it can't (if it's not the contact problem).

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

My wife's '98 5sfe won't start

This happened a couple of weeks ago, the key would turn and I would hear just 1 click - solenoid still works I guess from reading other threads. I changed the contacts and plunger in the starter, and was starting fine. Actually better than before.

Fast forward to today. Battery seems fine, lights seems to work properly, etc. Again, key turns just hear a click.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

[ballz2wallz]

Conclusion:

Problem solved. Thanks for everybody's help...awesome forum! There was a poor connection at the positive terminal of the battery. Battery was fine, other electrical functions were working but not enough juice to turn the motor over. Replaced terminal connections, which were pretty dated and now fixed.

Thanks again!