3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Starter not working - is it hard to replace on 3.0 SLE?
My starter is apparently starting to go out on my 2000 3.0 V6 SLE - it clicks sometimes several times when trying to start. It finally starts after a few twists of the ignition, but I've tested the battery and alternator, and thankfully both of them test out fine. It must be the starter, but I did notice in the records that several years ago they did replace the ignition in the steering column for some reason.
Is there a solenoid attached to the starter that could be the culprit? If not, how hard is it to replace a starter? Since it's up close to the top when looking under the hood I'm hoping that is a good sign.
Barry....it's been a few years since mine went out and I replaced it with a rebuilt unit, but I remember it being quite easy to replace. Don't forget the basics like unhooking the battery first. The Haynes manual has an easy step by step procedure. I think it took me maybe 30mins to change out the starter in my 1999 camry v6 and I have had no problems since. Mine was doing the same thing as yours, clicking every once in a while, but eventually it would engage.
The Following User Says Thank You to guts55 For This Useful Post:
Barry....it's been a few years since mine went out and I replaced it with a rebuilt unit, but I remember it being quite easy to replace. Don't forget the basics like unhooking the battery first. The Haynes manual has an easy step by step procedure. I think it took me maybe 30mins to change out the starter in my 1999 camry v6 and I have had no problems since. Mine was doing the same thing as yours, clicking every once in a while, but eventually it would engage.
Do you remember where you bought yours? I'm looking at one of the NAPA units that are $149 or so - they have a 3 year warranty. I don't see any need in buying a Toyota starter that is probably way over $200.
I am not sure about the AutoZone and Advance starters, so unless anyone here has good experience with them, I'll probably do the NAPA one.
I am not sure about the AutoZone and Advance starters, so unless anyone here has good experience with them, I'll probably do the NAPA one.
I replaced the starter in my 1994 V6 with an AutoZone unit as well as the one in my 1997 F150. Both are still going strong with 4 years on the camry and 5 years on the truck. The Camry was tight for space but it was on top of the motor so only took me 45 minutes to do ... even in the cold.
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1994 Camry LE V6 156,000 miles
1995 Camry XLE V6 81,000 miles
The Following User Says Thank You to LE PEW For This Useful Post:
I may have bought it at Autozone, but not sure....it's been quite a while. I trust most of NAPA parts and have had quite a few problems with auto zones parts. Personally, I always want to use OEM parts unless I go with a rebuilt. My camry is the most reliable car we have ever owned and I want to keep it that way so if the OEM is just a little more, that's what I use. There are many online OEM parts dealers that are reasonably priced.
The Following User Says Thank You to guts55 For This Useful Post:
Before you spend the money on a new starter, you might want to replace the contacts. They are usually what causes the problems. There is a DIY stickied at the top of the forum on how to do it.
What ajkalian ^ said. Exact same issue on my '93 V6. I ordered contacts on Ebay but one was incorrect so I just cleaned up the original contacts really well with a wire brush and reinstalled them while I reordered from Ebay. The new contacts arrived but the cleaned up originals continue to function perfectly so That job is on hold until such time as it is necessary.
OP, it's a pretty easy job and can be done for less than $10. You have to pull he starter in either case and pulling the solenoid apart and reassembling is another half hour at the most.
FWIW
YMMV
The Following User Says Thank You to DFBonnett For This Useful Post:
What the others said about the contacts is right on. DO NOT trade in your OE starter for some Autozone piece of crap reman. without at least checking the contacts first. The contacts and a plunger should be about 30-40 bucks.
The Following User Says Thank You to chuckoff For This Useful Post:
mrstangblb, don't trade in your OEM starter in autoZone or Napa...
i had the same problem on my 96 camry 4 cylinder le but after i replaced both contacts and just clean plugger (reused old)..now, my starter still working iand still working strong.
if you go Toyota dealership, they will not sell you the repari starter kit because they would like to sale you the new OEM starter... that way they make more $$ profit...
do you need the part # starter repair kit?
if you post your car info., I'll provide the part # oem toyota parts... you can buy online they ship to your house less 30 bucks... with 30 bucks, you got a starter work again.
give me your car info..and i'll look up the part# for you..and you can buy online...
willing to help you out..and if you follow the diy link on this forum...it's not hard.... just give 1 day for doing this job if you have never done before...it's not hard at all... i had repair one on my 96 and 2000 toyota camry le..just replaced two contacts and reuse the plunger (just only clean the plunger)...
posted back on this forum..and i'll provide oem part# for you.
Thanks for the offer of the part numbers, but did you read the post above yours? It sounds like now I have a worn out motor with the racket that it's making. I am going to have to get a new one, it looks like. I wish I could have had the parts earlier this week - it might not have messed up yesterday.
I ended up buying the lifetime warranty rebuilt NAPA starter for just over $170. I'm 6'-6" and tweaked my hamstring the other day trying to keep up with my nephews on the football field, so it took me longer than it probably normally would have, but I got the old one out, traded it in and put the new one in. Seems to sound and work great. I'd forgotten what it was like to have something start the way it is supposed to.
Thanks to everybody for your help. Next time when it starts clicking I'll know what to do.
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Starter not working - is it hard to replace on 3.0 SLE?
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