Sometimes not starting

[Red Camry]

Once in a while, usually when my car has been sitting for a couple hours, i'll go to turn it on and when i turn the key all the way nothing will happen. the car still has power, but the motor doesnt start. there isnt a sparatic clicking noise like if it were the battery or starter problem. has this happened to anyone else? it might be a sensor or something minor i'm hoping

thanks

[Durrby]

Actually it happened to me last week..2 weeks ago I had a clicking noise when starting but my Optima battery was dead. When it happened last week, where like you said absolutly nothing happens, I just waited a few minutes and tried again and it worked. I was gonna make a thread sooner or later too.

[Red Camry]

the other week my camry died at the drive in after sitting through 2 movies, but eventually gained enough juice to start and run fine since then. do I need to get a new battery or charge this one, or does this have nothing to do with the problem?

[Durrby]

Not sure, I tried to jump start the battery and it didn't take, so I just got a new one. Can't say for sure what caused it to wig out the 2nd time.

[MrJones]

try changing your spark wires.. could be that or the alternator?

[Durrby]

In my case the plugs wires have about 3K on them, alternator's original though.

[FireEater]

sounds like your alternator has crapped out and left your battery to fend for itself. or maybe it's a fuse or a fusible link?

[nodrogkam]

the clicking is the starter not getting enough juice. WIERD that ur car will eventually start on its own without any more assistance. That doesnt sound right, because the battery would only get weaker on every crank not stronger *miracle battery!*

If your batt is over 5 years just get a new one, but while ur at autozone or kragens etc, have them check ur alternator/battery to see if one or the other is teh cause, or perhaps its something more.

[Red Camry]

ok thanks

[Kitto]

I am not trying to be mean, but search, this problem have been covered many times already.
first result of searching:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t139175.html
Repair your own STARTER

[DAMON]

yeah try a search for "starter contacts" if it isnt the battery, id say thats your culprit

[Camry005man]

My friend's Accord couldn't get start, towed to dealer and found out that the power leaks with the radio, so when he did not use the car, he had to remove the fuse. Now he got replaced and the problem solved.

[Mike Gerber]

The next time this happens, locate the starter and give it a good tap with a small hamer or a wrench. Don't try to break the starter, just tap it. If it now starts, you have idnetified the problem as bad starter contacts inside the solenoid, as has been mentioned above. The do a search for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem and it's repair alternatives.

Mike