2002 camry won't start - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

nobin · 10-10-2011, 02:02 PM

my camry suddenly won't start. when i turn the key it makes this single click but won't start. Battery seems to be good. any suggestions? bad starter?

workerant · 10-10-2011, 02:06 PM

Get a volt meter and check the battery... I forgot what voltage the battery should be but you can search, this has brought up before.

In fact "won't start" has brought up many times before.

I should unsub to this thread before I get blast with many usually answers and replies AGAIN.

nobin · 10-10-2011, 02:24 PM

battery is fine. got it checked at Walmart and result came out "GOOD BATTERY". tried jump start, won't start. when I put the key in, it makes this humming noise, when key turned, makes this single click.

gdanaher · 10-10-2011, 03:05 PM

The problem may not be the battery but it is the first suspect and other issues remain well down the list. The solenoid is built into the starter so both are replaced as a single unit. The armature may be burned in a spot and need work. When you get a click, it suggests that the solenoid is working but the voltage/amperage drop to the starter motor.

IF IT WERE ME (meaning, for whatever it is worth), I would connect my volt meter across the battery terminal and observe it as I turned the key to the start position and see what the voltage drops off to, and how fast it drops. I don't trust anyone I don't know to tell me a battery is good or bad. I've had guys look me right in the eye and tell me a battery was just fine when it had 2 dead cells and showed 8 volts. Borrow another battery, or even another car to use to jump it and see if you still get the same result. If it still does not turn over, check the contacts on the starter, the ground strap from the battery to the body, If all are good, replace the starter.

nobin · 10-10-2011, 04:59 PM

is there a good writeup on how to replace the starter?

nobin · 10-10-2011, 10:17 PM

gdanaher, I tried your test, multimeter on battery terminals. keys in ignition, volts = ~12.2 key turned to start, volts = ~11.9 so what's your verdict from this test?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdanaher

The problem may not be the battery but it is the first suspect and other issues remain well down the list. The solenoid is built into the starter so both are replaced as a single unit. The armature may be burned in a spot and need work. When you get a click, it suggests that the solenoid is working but the voltage/amperage drop to the starter motor.

IF IT WERE ME (meaning, for whatever it is worth), I would connect my volt meter across the battery terminal and observe it as I turned the key to the start position and see what the voltage drops off to, and how fast it drops. I don't trust anyone I don't know to tell me a battery is good or bad. I've had guys look me right in the eye and tell me a battery was just fine when it had 2 dead cells and showed 8 volts. Borrow another battery, or even another car to use to jump it and see if you still get the same result. If it still does not turn over, check the contacts on the starter, the ground strap from the battery to the body, If all are good, replace the starter.

Glenn8963 · 10-11-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobin

gdanaher, I tried your test, multimeter on battery terminals. keys in ignition, volts = ~12.2 key turned to start, volts = ~11.9 so what's your verdict from this test?

you only lost 3/10 th's of a volt...

what you can try to do is, disconnect the battery terminals, and completely clean them. then you can remove the battery cable at the starter, and clean that as well. put it all back together again and try it. if it still does the same thing..??? get another starter, but NOT a cheapo one either.

get a Genuine Toyota starter.

nobin · 10-11-2011, 02:28 PM

So got it towed to a shop. It's the starter. I'm getting the timing belt, water pump replaced too while I'm at it. any other recommended 105k maintenance that I should be aware of?

workerant · 10-11-2011, 03:08 PM

I think the coolant is due at 100k too.

johnfrisco · 10-11-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobin

So got it towed to a shop. It's the starter. I'm getting the timing belt, water pump replaced too while I'm at it. any other recommended 105k maintenance that I should be aware of?

If your car has a 4 Cylinder engine then your car has a timing chain, not a belt--no need for replacement.

If you have a V6 then you have a timing belt.

nobin · 10-11-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnfrisco

If your car has a 4 Cylinder engine then your car has a timing chain, not a belt--no need for replacement.

If you have a V6 then you have a timing belt.

yeah it's a v6 otherwise I wouldn't be talking about replacing a non-existing part