Hello -

I have an 88 Camry that I like to refer lovingly to as "Betsy". Betsy has been good to me considering her age and mileage (she just turned over 200K). Betsy has begun to have some issues and when I took her into the shop the mechanics saw I was a female and assumed "SUCKER". They estimated that it would take almost $3K to fix all the issues. Yes $3K! Mind you I only paid $500 for her almost a year ago.

Here are her issues...(the ones that I didn't find answers to in the forum)

Alternator is going - This is an asumption, but I have owned enough cars to tell the warning and tell tale signs of an alternator dying. The check engine, brake, and tail light signs all came on at once. Every 2 days I was needing a jump so I figured I needed a new battery (BTW the gents at "LazyBoys" sold me the wrong size battery for my car 6 months ago, I am sure that didn't help any!) Got the new (correct size) battery and the warning lights went out but only for a day or so; when I pulled into the garage at work today I noticed that the lights on the clock had started to dim out (LORD I hope I make it home) so more than likely it's the alternator. Any estimate as to how much this should cost? Using used parts of course.

Ignition Schreeching - 40% of the time when I put and turn the key in the ignition to start the car it makes this REALLY loud screeching noise? Kind of like the sound your car may make if it was already on and you turned the key again? It will do it 3 or 4 times but it always turns over. Mechanic said it may be the starter ($) ? or I may have something to do with a "disk" (can't remember exact terminology that he used) that comes off the engine block that is either stripped or one of prongs has broken off so it's not catching ($$$$) ?

Only the drivers side locks, window, & seatbelt harness work - when I first got Betsy all the windows & door locks worked; also the passanger side seatbelt harness worked too. One by one they died. Changed the fuses 6 months ago but still nothing?

Horn doesn't work - it's not the horn, every so often I may slam on the horn and suprisingly it works! But the steering wheel has to be turned at just the right angle - otherwise - nothing.

Sunroof Dead - This has never worked (think it's a motor issue) but I mistakenly opened it once and now I have to keep closing it after I go over a bump. Anyway to "lock" it to keep it closed?

Tranny slipping - not much I can do (or willing to do considering the cost to replace tranny) about this considering her age and mileage. Step on the gas and the pick up is slow but eventually she gets up to full speed. Anything you would recommed to extend the life of the current condition of the tranny?

I just need Betsy to last me another 6 months before I can get a new car -actually if she lasts longer then I'll keep driving her. Why take on a car payment if you don't have to?

Any help or insight would be appreciated. Thank you for looking.

Hello - ...
Alternator is going
Ignition Schreeching
Only the drivers side locks, window, & seatbelt harness work
Horn doesn't work
Sunroof Dead
Tranny slipping

You are going to need an alternator or a new serpentine belt to keep it running by the sounds of it. A new alternator installed can run anywhere frm $250-350 I would think. The screeching you describe could be related to this since a bad or loose belt will screech initally when started cold because the alternator puts a load on it. Check or replace the belt first and get it tensioned properly and then have the alternator charge voltage measured to see if it is putting out at least 13.5V.

If after doing the above you still have issues with the starter/flywheel where it is noisy, just live with it for now.

If your driver seatbelt works, then don't worry about the passenger one unless you are planning to have passengers. A non-working belt can make you liable I would think in case of an accident/injury.

Horn: no biggie. Just leave it. It sounds like a contact/wiring issue in the steering wheel which will be expensive to fix (labor $$$).

Sunroof: you should be able to rig it so it stays shut permanently. Maybe use a little silicon caulk on the seal to keep it shut.

Trans: how long has it been this way? The longer you drive it like this, the more damage you will do to it, but in the end a trans rebuild costs the same anyways. It's anyone's guess how long this will last, but when it goes, junk the car for sure. Not worth it with all its other problems. You can try a Lucas trans additive to help the internal clutches a bit. May or may not work. Probably won't make it any worse. Check your fluid level to be sure it is not low.

davemc

1. The 3 warning light coming on at the same time indicate that the charging system is not working. The most possible cause is your alternator. You can replace it for couple hundred dollars. Or you can just replace the carbon brush for couple dollars (if you are handy and know how, search the forum or internet, you should be able to find instructions). You can buy the brush in any hardware store (you need to know the type), or from the dealer.

2. The screaching sound is your flywheel. There is a design flaw for the teeth on the flywheel which cause non-engage of the teeth between the starter pinion and flywheel. You can replace it, but it may not be cheep since the transmission need to be off.

3. For the door lock and window, looks you have wiring problem. The wires that goes thru the door hinge area are subject to fatigue (door open/close) and eventually break off. You need to take off the door panel to access the wire harness and find the broken wires and re-connect them. This is something painful to do by yourself.

4. Tranny, I think your tranny is good. The tranny on this year's Camry is almost bullet proof. I believe it's one of the shifting solinoids that went bad. You can do simple test and confirm. Replace the tranny oil may help if it's overdue. Or, again, could be the wiring. Worst case is the tranny control module, but rarely.

5. Sunroof, it's either wiring or the motor (rarely motor). So it should be an easy fix. Just need to find out where the wire breaks.

Good luck and let us know how things going.

save another 500 and go get something with less milage. thats what I would do.