[LightbulbFight]

Hey guys. I am coming here out of desperation. I can usually figure out issues with the car but this time I've spent too much money and time and am still no closer to the problem.

I have a 1993 Camry LE, 2.2L. I have replaced just about all the parts under the hood save for the engine.

Every now and then, I would go to start the engine, everything on the inside would come on (lights, radio, whatever), but the Starter wouldn't engage or try to turn over. It will click once (sounds more like something electronic than a Starter click) and then do nothing. If I let it sit and tried it after 5 or 10 minutes it would work. It would do this maybe once every 3 to 4 months.

A few days ago it did that but wouldn't ever start. I had my battery tested and it's good, I also tried boosting it. I checked the wires to the Starter, the battery wires, etc. I tried starting it in neutral. I tried knocking the starter with a hammer to check the Solenoid. So at that point I thought the Starter itself might be bad so I had it tested, and it says it's good. I even bought a new Starter just to be 100% sure. I thought that maybe the wires to the Starter could have went bad, so I checked if they were getting power and they were. So now it's none of those things and the car is still not starting.

What's left? My next guess is something wrong with the ignition assembly and key. The key (no chip or anything, not in a '93) seems to be fine as everything on the inside of the car will turn on and doesn't isn't low on power. I don't know much about the ignition for Camry's.

My options are to rent a diagnostic computer from Advanced or Autozone and check what it has to say, but they're kind of pricey and it has always given back a few random codes anyway. Or, I could attempt to check the wiring and ignition assembly under the dash, but I'm not very experienced under dashes.

Anything any of you guys can think of? I would really appreciate any help.



Replaced within the last 3 years with new (not rebuilt) parts:

Starter
Alternator
Radiator
Distributor
Plugs and Wires
Battery (brand new)

 

[dc_98_cam]

Kind of sounds like a Neutral Safety Switch problem. Is there any difference at all if you move the gear shift back and forth before you try to start the engine? ... Ever disassembled and cleaned the NSS?
... If that is the problem, it is just a matter of pulling the NSS and cleaning the electrical contacts, and adding a tube of new dielectric grease.

 

[mcgowaw]

so, the starter has 12vdc right at the starter itself and it isn't spinning or at least making a loud clunk?
if voltage and no starter spin, then it's the contacts or something in the starter.
if voltage and loud clunk but no engine crank, then the engine might be seized.
need more information..something doesn't sound right.
why did you replace the radiator? overheating?
tony

 

[tedmich]

Sounds frustrating!
:cursin:
Aged caps in ECU might cause this, maybe try a swap?

NSS is also a possibility, manual has test for this

google
Toyota Official 1994 (1992-1996) Mk3 Camry Repair Manual

and see what comes up

 

[borwish]

The first thing I would do is get a multimeter and see if the wire going to the solenoid on the stater is getting power when someone else cranks the car. I'd then start checking over the large wire that goes to the starter itself to make sure that it is in good shape as well as the connection to the battery and that full voltage is on that wire.

 

[hskl]

I agree with it probably being neutral safety switch problem. We had this problem on my sons '92 5sfe.
When no crank, or click, with emergency brake secured, working gear shift lever back and forth from park to neutral while turning key should produce cranking.
Sometimes just wiggling lever around in park may work.
If this works as temporary fix. Plan on nss adjustment and repair. Good luck fixing your problem.

 

[mcgowaw]

per the OP, "wires to the Starter could have went bad, so I checked if they were getting power and they were"
would the NSS be part of the equation if there is power to the starter already?
hopefully the OP will report back and fill in the blanks.
tony

 

[BMR]

Another way to know if it's the NSS is to watch the PRDNL lights while moving the shifter thru its range. If they sometimes don't light up, that's indicative of a problem with the NSS.