Camry doesnt start anymore

[maestro123]

Just all of a sudden my '99 Camry wouldn't start yesterday. Each time I try to start the car, I hear this strange clicking sound, and even if I take my keys out of the ignition, my lights continue to click on and off intermitently but ever so faintly. Usually my car lights will just turn off automatically if I take the keys out of the ignition.

I've never had a problem with the car.

Today I went to the store and bought a brand new battery. Installed it and.... nothing. Same clicking sound.

You guys have any ideas?

[Mike Gerber]

If it's just one click, then you have a problem with the starter; actually the contacts inside the starter solenoid. Do a search here on "starter contacts" and read up. It has been covered many times. Multiple clicks usually indicate a problem with the battery (already replaced), corrosion on the battery cable/terminal connections, corrosion on the connections at the starter, or frayed or faulty wiring leading to the starter. Check all connections and wiring for problems including the ground wires.

Mike

[88 LE]

I agree with Mike.


Starter repair:

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t27312.html


Starter contacts:

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t88864.html

[02whiteLE]

Does your car have an alarm that has starter disable? I used to work at a car dealership when I was younger, and we had a car that had a similar problem, right down to the lights flashing faintly. Turns out that the alarm had been set off, which drained the battery, resulting in your problem. After recharging the battery, they had to do some magical programming trick to tell the car to recognize the starter or whatnot. Sounds like an alarm issue to me.

[maestro123]

Thanks for the responses guys!

A quick update:
This morning, I was checking the new battery that I bought with a voltmeter, and it turns out the new one is worse than my old battery. New one's voltage is 8V while my old battery is 12V.

Looks like I bought a dupe. I'm gonna buy another one and see if that works.

[maestro123]

Update:

Purchased a new battery yesterday and installed it. Battery seems to be fine. I can get electronics in my car to work, but car just won't start. Just one or two clicks and then dead

But somehow.... when someone helps me by jumpstart, the car starts up???

What's going on? I'm pretty sure the battery is okay...

[maestro123]

HAH! I'm retarded...

I took it to the shop and the guy was like..."The connectors aren't tight?"

That was my problem!

Yah I'm a newb...