problem when starting car

[camryowner25]

I am having a strange problem when starting my 1998 Toyota Camry (4 cyl). 90% of the time, the car starts normally. But every now and then, the car makes a loud high pitched sound that sounds like a siren that lasts for approximately 10-15 seconds. If I turn my car off when the car makes this sound, the sound continues and engine continues to run for a few more seconds before shutting off. Another problem I am having is that the car often won't start the first time when the engine is cold. I only hear one click when this happens but the dashboard lights and radio turn on. The car always starts when turning the ignition the second time though so I haven't worried too much about it.

After talking with several people who work on cars, I assume that something is wrong with my starter. I didn't know if I need to replace the whole starter or just the starter solenoid. Is there a way of telling if the whole starter is faulty or just the solenoid needs to be replaced? Any advice would be appreciated.

[hill8570]

So you get the "siren" noise right after you start and the engine has starting running?

Second symptom sounds like the contacts in the starter solenoid are getting worn...pretty common failure on Denso starters, and easy to DIY fix.

The "siren" symptom sort-a kind-a sounds like the opposite problem -- sticking contacts in the solenoid. This also is caused by worn contacts in the solenoid.

I'd pull the starter and replace the solenoid contacts and plunger. Don't let this go too long -- eventually the contacts are going to weld together, and you'll smoke your starter. Contacts are cheap -- starters aren't (at least, not the good ones).

If you need help finding a source for the contacts and plunger, let us know -- they're hard to find at auto parts stores (they'd rather sell you a crappy "remanufactured" starter), but you can find them on Amazon, ebay, and various other places on the internet.

[Mike Gerber]

^ I have to agree. Here's an article on starter solenoid contact replacement. This is after the starter has been removed from the car, which is not too difficult of a job for the average DIY'r:

http://www.nipponautoparts.com/startercontacts.htm

Mike