UH OH, car wont' start - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

SKYravefever · 05-01-2003, 01:45 PM

From my post over @ CMPL::
I've been having troubles over the last few weeks starting up my car when it's been put away overnight. I'll turn the key, and it won't crank. All electronic devices work, i.e. radio/windows/locks/headlamps, but it just won't crank at all. All I hear is the buzzing noise (fuel pump?). I'd let it sit for 10 seconds, give the gas pedal a few taps, and it'll stutter a bit before me giving another few taps of the gas to get it starting.

Just at first, it won't even crank at all, given my ritual over the past few weeks. Same symptoms, all electric items work, but no crank. Someone mentioned a air/fuel sensor last week? Could that be the culprit to this starting problem, as well as my un-Camry-like rough idle for the past several months? And yes, the car's a California-emmissions vehicle.

Now I need to ride my bike to school! ggRRR

/SKYravefever

alex · 05-01-2003, 01:50 PM

vaccum leak?
maybe the actually starter is goin (gone) bad

SKYravefever · 05-01-2003, 02:04 PM

To make things worse, I'm boarding 50 miles south of my home city, so I guess worse case scenario would be to tow it to the closest STEALership.

***Phi*** · 05-01-2003, 02:17 PM

the fact that you mentioned that you've "been having troubles over the last few weeks starting up...all electronic devices work " I'm inclined to think a weak/dead battery may be the culprit. Try boosting your car and see what happens.

The next thing to check would be starter and selnoids (sp?)

SKYravefever · 05-01-2003, 02:24 PM

I've got 75K miles, so I guess it's about time, but I'm not sure, to change the starter and/or battery.

I'm going to switch my dad's AAA roadside to my name first. hehe

SKYravefever · 05-02-2003, 05:28 PM

I pulled out the battery to test it at Kragen. The little green eye was still there, but the guy at the Kragen counter said it was dead. I didn't trust him, so I went to another Kragen (I had to pick up some spark plugs anyway, since the 1st store didn't have them in stock.) The 2nd one showed me the reading, and said it was OK.

I then pulled the starter out, and had it tested. It was indeed the starter. Went over to this place that rebuilt motors, and bought one for $140, as compared to the $220 Kragen wanted. Now it starts! yay!

Thanks for all your input. I've received many replies on this subject here on SG, CMPL, and TN, and would like to thank you all for your input. I undoubtedly love this Camry/Solara community, in a non-homosexual way, of course, but maybe in a heterosexual way with the ladies here.....