HELP!!! Camry won't start, doesn't even crank!

[natelocc787]

Got out of school the other day, car wouldn't start, headlights, everything is fine but no action at all when the key is turned. Went bask 4 hours later to jump it, no jump was necessary it started up first try like normal. Then my wife drove it to the store on Thanksgiving, went out after getting a few things...no start again. Tried to jumpstart it, still no starter crank or any action. So we tried again later that night to see if it would miraculously start again- IT DID! So we drove it home. Its been 4 days now it will never start, so I put in a new battery, had the alternator and starter tested both fine. The starter was purring like a kitten when the hooked it up at Autozone. So I put it all back together and it actually cranked for a half second like normal but stopped before it started, now nothing again. All of the warning lights light up when the key is in the on position, none of them dim when the key is turned to start it except the clock light dims. Headlights, wipers, windows all work fine. What could this be? Relay, battery cables (can't be that since it won't turn over when jumstarted right???) Ignition switch? Distributor? Not real good with cars...help please!

Its a 4 cylinder 1995 Camry

[eyeball96]

It could be your starter contacts..common problem. Try using the search function at the top of this page for more information. Welcome to ToyotaNation.

I did a quick Google search for ya on the subject.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/

[natelocc787]

Very interesting stuff. I just noticed that it will now start in neutral but not park.

Before I took out the starter to have it tested I repeatedly tried to start it in both neutral and park. But after having it tested and putting it back in suddenly it will start in neutral and not park. I wonder how long this will work.

Any ideas guys???

[carsrus]

Neutral safety switch maybe? Try jiggling the shifter park in forth in park when it wont start. The safety switch might just need to jiggle a bit and it'll start let it crank.

However, it you hear one loud click from the starter you need to either rebuild your current starter (easier then it sounds theres a diy guide and parts should be about 20$) or just drop in a new reman one for about 120ish. Replacing the starter on the 2.2 is a piece of cake.

[TRD95]

I had your exact same issue! It's the neutral safety switch. Grab one from a junkyard. Those things OEM are quite expensive. Problem solved

[natelocc787]

Okay I jiggled it while it was in park AS I turned the key at the same time and it started!

So neutral safety switch?

Can I do this myself?

[JohnGD]

Did you jiggle the lever or the whole thing? Is the whole thing loose? If so try adjusting and tightening it first; otherwise replace it. A new one is like $188:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=934333

Just follow the adjustment directions on Autozone's free online repair guide (w/ registration).

Originally Posted by natelocc787

Okay I jiggled it while it was in park AS I turned the key at the same time and it started!

So neutral safety switch?

Can I do this myself?

[natelocc787]

I just jiggled my shifting knob while in "park" side to side while turning the key at the same time

[carsrus]

Honestly I would just live with it since its not that cheap of a fix and the switch probably isnt bad, your shifter/cable is just a little out of adjustment.

[natelocc787]

Do you know if I can I adjust it myself?

[LynchburgCSI]

Anything a mechanic can do, you can do. Do I know how to do it? Nope. Just wait for someone else to chime in.