Loud squeek when I turn the ignition?

[SeCsTaC]

Hey guys, I have a 1988 Camry, and sometimes when I turn the key to start the car, it makes a very loud "eeek" and the car doesn't start, but usually on the second try the car would start up again.

Does anyone know what's causing this and how much it would be to fix?

[Tommy]

probably the starter. Is it like a grinding kinda noise?

if so, about $100 from whatever parts store, and 10-15minutes labor. starter is real easy to get to on a gen2

[96camryracer]

i got that happen to my gen3 too. i think all camry have that kind of problem. dont know about 4 and up but i use to have a 87 camry and it make the noise as you mention. In my opinion i dont really know..how much miles does your ride has..my has 166,000 decent for its age. I guess it might depend on the high miles and the age of the car. i just posted a simlar question and hopefully well get some answer

[SeCsTaC]

I dont think it's a grind, but i'm not sure. It definately sounds like a very loud "eeek" that could be heard throughout the neighborhood lol

[Zandro]

This happens because the starter drive mechanism doesnt kick in,
witch results in no physical contact with the engine and that eeeek
sound. It can happen on new cars too but only rarely, in your case
i think that the starter has seen its days and needs replacement
before it fails completely.

[JetspeedCamry]

Wouldn't be the belts would it? That initial torque at startup could slip them if there worn.

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by JetspeedCamry

Wouldn't be the belts would it? That initial torque at startup could slip them if there worn.

yea, but since he said that when it does this the car wont start, my bet is still on the starter.

[SeCsTaC]

How long do starters usually last? The starter was replaced in february of this year. It doesn't happen too often, maybe once every 10 times I start the car? (rough estimate). Is there a technique that would help this? Like for example, switch the ignition to the 2nd position and give it a couple seconds for all the accessoris to be powered, and then turn the ignition all the way?

[Tercel GTS]

There are a couple of different gear designs for camry starters. If you hold the starter with the gear upright one gear has a flat top while the other has an angle at top of the teeth of the gear. This angle helps the gear slide into the flywheel's gear. Sounds like you got a starter with the old style gear from the parts store. Kinda sounds like a loud zipper?

[chasman]

Originally Posted by Tercel GTS

There are a couple of different gear designs for camry starters. If you hold the starter with the gear upright one gear has a flat top while the other has an angle at top of the teeth of the gear. This angle helps the gear slide into the flywheel's gear. Sounds like you got a starter with the old style gear from the parts store. Kinda sounds like a loud zipper?

What part # is used for the improved version of the starter?

[Tercel GTS]

http://www.wai-wetherill.com/product..._num=2-1055-ND

I can show you this and it has many part numbers listed. If you are buying from a parts store it doesn't matter what part number you use though as they are mass-rebuilt at a factory and assigned numbers as needed. You just have to open the boxes and see which gear is on it. I rebuild starters and modify the gears for older cars to prevent the problem you are describing.

[chasman]

Our car, once in a blue moon, makes this very loud eeek! sound that has been described above instead of starting. So it is just a starter issue - Does this noise indicate potential damage to the flywheel? If one's car has this starter issue but it is infrequent, at what point should the unit be replaced?

Thanks again!

[javolin13]

it could be 2 different problems... i've had this happen to me in my gen3... the reason for your car not starting is probably your starter, and the loud "eek" noise could be the fact that you have the AC on and when you turn the car on the AC is kicking in, and the AC belt could be loose... take i believe a 10mm wrench or socket and tighten the belt, and if the eek still happens is probably not what im thinking but i had that problem a while back ago and the eek was from the AC belt... (hope this helped :-/ )

[SeCsTaC]

No, I never have my AC on until my cars warmed up, so it's not that.

[toyrolla]

Check your power steering belt....that could be a possibility on startup...