Gen 5 4Cyl not starting

[tekdemon]

So I go to start my Camry up and it sounds kinda like it tries to crank once and then all I get is a clicking sound (multiple clicks that keep clicking). Would the starter going bad be like this? From what I've read it'd cause clicking but I can't quite figure out why I'd hear a cranking type sound for a second.
It was pretty cold this morning...like 15 degrees Fahrenheit so I'm going to try and crank it again when it's slightly warmer later. Not sure what to do since none of the shops around here are open on Sunday =(

I'm also considering that it could be the battery but my headlights look pretty bright and it's a fairly new battery (3 years) that was fresh from the factory so I'd be pretty annoyed if it's dead. Gonna go check.

Edit: Yeah...checked with a multimeter and apparently it *is* the battery. Can't believe such a new battery is failing me like this, even got the upgraded cold weather high CCA battery but I got 11.6V sitting idle and on one try the multimeter saw it dip to 10.5V but on another crank it actually fell to 4V!!! Ugh. Gonna wait until the stores are open then call someone to come jump it for me.

[kydude7]

Originally Posted by tekdemon

So I go to start my Camry up and it sounds kinda like it tries to crank once and then all I get is a clicking sound. Would the starter going bad be like this? From what I've read it'd cause clicking but I can't quite figure out why I'd hear a cranking type sound for a second.
It was pretty cold this morning...like 15 degrees Fahrenheit so I'm going to try and crank it again when it's slightly warmer later. Not sure what to do since none of the shops around here are open on Sunday =(

Also, if it is the starter I'm wondering if the Gen 5 starter has replaceable contacts, I can't seem to find a repair kit for the starter like for other cars. Do I have to buy a new starter entirely?

Doubt it's a starter issue, sound more like a dead battery or a bad/loose connection. I would put my money on the battery, they dont like cold weather

[tekdemon]

Originally Posted by kydude7

Doubt it's a starter issue, sound more like a dead battery or a bad/loose connection. I would put my money on the battery, they dont like cold weather

Yeah, I think you're actually right...I let it sit for a while and got some weak cranks out of it instead and my multimeter showed 11.6V idle, got one drop to 10.5 and then saw it dip to 4V when I tried again. Man, that Energizer (Johnson Controls) battery really didn't last nearly as long as the original-which was also a JC part. Thought it would since the newer battery actually had a better CCA rating.
And of course I think I'm like 1 month out of my 3 year free replacement warranty...can't find my receipt but I'm hoping the store I got it from has the records for the prorated warranty.

[AloRock]

Originally Posted by tekdemon

So I go to start my Camry up and it sounds kinda like it tries to crank once and then all I get is a clicking sound (multiple clicks that keep clicking). Would the starter going bad be like this? From what I've read it'd cause clicking but I can't quite figure out why I'd hear a cranking type sound for a second.
It was pretty cold this morning...like 15 degrees Fahrenheit so I'm going to try and crank it again when it's slightly warmer later. Not sure what to do since none of the shops around here are open on Sunday =(

I'm also considering that it could be the battery but my headlights look pretty bright and it's a fairly new battery (3 years) that was fresh from the factory so I'd be pretty annoyed if it's dead. Gonna go check.

Edit: Yeah...checked with a multimeter and apparently it *is* the battery. Can't believe such a new battery is failing me like this, even got the upgraded cold weather high CCA battery but I got 11.6V sitting idle and on one try the multimeter saw it dip to 10.5V but on another crank it actually fell to 4V!!! Ugh. Gonna wait until the stores are open then call someone to come jump it for me.

Your story sounds like an battery problem. If you don't have the luck, a battery holds for 2 year in conditions like 15 degrees F.
If you buy a new one, chooge for an maintenance free battery.
You can check yourself if the problem is the battery. Put the battery at night in a room where it's living temperarure. If you put the battery back on your car in the morning, I guess your car starts with no problem.
Good luck