My daughter inherited our 1989 Camry (4 cyl. automatic) to drive to school/work, etc. Over the past year it has developed a problem of not starting on occasion. This usually occurs after being driven for a while and then parked for 15 minutes to 2 hours. Jumping the battery does not help. It will usually start after trying for a few minutes and then run fine for a month or so.

When the key is turned, nothing happens. Only the solenoid clicks. The starter/solenoid assembly has been changed, the battery has been tested, + battery terminal has been replaced, alternator changed but the problem still occurs at random (making it very hard to track down)

I'm guessing at the switch mounted on front of the transmission or perhaps someting in the ignition switch itself. This is very annoying because the problem is so intermittant. I have to try to fix it by guess work!

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated!

When it happens put a 12 volt trouble light on the starter terminal (small) to see if 12 volts is getting to the starter..... Also check the 12 volt cable (large) for tightness & being clean.... I was looking at the electrical diagram & you have a Starter Relay which may be your problem, can't find location of this relay but may be under the hood on driver's side.... Keep us posted...

How long ago did you replace the starter? If it has not been real recently and you are getting 12V to your solenoid, then it may be your solenoid contacts. They (and the relay) are relatively cheap and easy.

If you are not getting 12 V to the solenoid, then it is the relay. Your ignition switch is not the problem. The relays seldom cause problems and are not usually intermittant. The contacts going bad are a very common problem and are always intermittant.

Here are some instructions for the solenoid contacts (you can buy them from Toyota).

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=166530

How long ago did you replace the starter? If it has not been real recently and you are getting 12V to your solenoid, then it may be your solenoid contacts. They (and the relay) are relatively cheap and easy.

If you are not getting 12 V to the solenoid, then it is the relay. Your ignition switch is not the problem. The relays seldom cause problems and are not usually intermittant. The contacts going bad are a very common problem and are always intermittant.

Here are some instructions for the solenoid contacts (you can buy them from Toyota).

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=166530

The starter was replaced after the first time this happened. Still, it might be worth changing the contacts and relay anyway.

If you bought a rebuilt starter, you never know what was done to it. They might have overlooked replacing the contacts if they looked good.

Good luck

If you bought a rebuilt starter, you never know what was done to it. They might have overlooked replacing the contacts if they looked good.

Good luck

Yeah, it was a rebuilt. I was kind of wondering about that. I'll tear it apart in the next few nights when I get a few minutes and see how it looks.

While you have it apart, just replace the contacts like shown in the references I gave you. They are cheap. Don't bother with the relay until you've ruled out the contacts by replacing them. The click you hear is the relay working, probably correctly. You can rule out the relay by checking the voltage at the solenoid with the key turned to start.

I will replace the contacts and clean up the plunger to see if that helps. The only problem with checking voltages is tha the problem happens so infrequently, by the time I get my meter out, it's starting again - very frustrating!!!

Thanks for the help. I'll get back to you with the results.

BTW - do you know the Toyota part # for the rebuild kit?

No, sorry. It is probably different for every starter. Just bring your VIN to the parts department or order from the guy in the link. He may know what contacts you need from experience.

Dunno if this helps at all but I have the same problem with my 89. I go to a store first thing in the morning... about 5 minute drive. Turn off the car and return to a dead car. Thought it might be elecrical or te start cuzz no clicking or anything. But car started up a few minutes later after I as just about to walk hom e. Anyways I hooked up a solar panel to the cig lighter and the radio turned on.... so i figured the radio was draining the battery while it was off and since it was a short drive the car couldnt recharge it self. Brand new battery by the way. so i turn the radio off before I turn off the car and now I have a normal car... almost.

I started looking through my old receipts and found the one for the rebuilt starter had a lifetime warranty. Exchanged it at AutoZone and checked the new (rebuilt) one out for fresh contacts. Hopefully that should take care of it for awhile.

Be sure the ground connections from the battery to the vehicle are clean. Disconnect the Battery ground wire and also the opposite end of the wire where it connects to the engine and/or frame. Clean well and reinstall.

Good idea

Thanks, I'll try it. A little extra precaution never hurts!