02 Camry Won't Start -- Test Starter?

[rdiggidy]

I have a 2002 Camry that has been having a tough time starting in the mornings over the last couple weeks. Today I went to start the car and it wouldn't turn over at all.

My battery is pretty old, so I just presumed this was the issue. I went and got a new battery and put it in, but still not starting. In fact, the car isn't even turning over at all (no clicking sound that I associate with lack of voltage from the battery). The car just makes a faint "whinning" noise.

All the electronics/lights in the car are working and when I turn the car on the check engine light, abs light, etc turn on. Doing a little searching online, I found that when I turn the ignition from "on" to "start" the headlights should dim and all of the interior lights (check engine, ABS, etc) should go off. They are not going off or dimming, but I'm not sure exactly what this is indicative of? Is this lack of headlight dimming/interior lights going off a tell-tale sign of something ("that is for sure the starter")?

Should I pull the starter and take it in to an Auto Zone type shop for testing, or is there something else I should be looking at first?

Thanks for any help you can offer this car repair noob!

[Donald E. George]

Start by checking the starter relay with an OHM meter. I believe there is also a fuse for the relay circuit. Regards

[gdanaher]

In your comments make sure you are saying that in the past weeks the engine refused to turn over at times rather than turned over and would not fire. Get a soft mallet, or a good chunk of wood and give the starter a wack. No kidding. Nothing to lose. You might have a burned spot that is preventing it from turning over. Sometimes a wack will jar it enough to work for awhile. If you pull the starter off, disconnect the positive lead at the battery terminal first, then draw a diagram of where the wires go on the starter or take a picture of it so you can get it right when reassembling later. Pull it off and have it checked. Highly likely that it needs replacement. The faint sound you heard is most likely the fuel pump.

[leakyseals]

I had similar issue on my 02. Slow cranks like a failing battery. After replacing the battery (was original), problem returned a few months later. Replaced the starter. That was over a year ago, problem solved. Easy replacement, you can do it.

[rdiggidy]

I'll start with testing the relay and go from there.

Thanks for the replies/suggestions!!

[rdiggidy]

Ended up being the starter. Got it swapped out and the car is back up and running like a champ.

Thanks again for the help!

[rwh63]

i have recently encountered a similar issue. twice in a week i could not restart my 2002 camry le 4 cyl. 5sp manual. battery ,electrics, etc seem normal. clutch engage is fine. 150k miles on it. i can hear the fuel pump whining. i have had to try starting it a dozen or so times over 15-20 minutes before it starts up. no cranking noise, just silence during the problem period.

i was thinking the ignition, then maybe the flywheel, or maybe the starter as this thread points out.

funny bit about the hammer and block of wood; i used to have a 1962 beetle that wouldn't turn over. i diagnosed it to being a starter solenoid. i used to reach under the rear of the car and tap it a few times with a hammer to "loosen" it. would always start up!