Starting Problems

I am having trouble with my 89 Toy Camry. For about the last 1 1/2 years now, the car sometimes will not start. When you turn the key over, it just does nothing. I have had the starter replaced twice already and the same problem happens again and again. You can remove the keys from the ignition when the car is running also. Now if the car doesn't start (rarely, it WILL start on its own) you have to bang the starter for it to start. Any suggestions? I do not think the original problem was with the starter but replaced it anyway even after the starters were tested and found to be fine. I feel as though it may be an ignition problem of some sort. Of course, I have no doubt now that the starter is bad from all the banging to get it to start. Any help is appreciated.

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

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#OnlineOrdering

It may not be the starter. Same thing happened to my 88 Camry. Replacing the starter did not solve the problem.

I measured the voltage at the key column when I turn to ignition, it's 13.9 v, same as the battery, but at the connector of the solinoid, it's only around 9v. Looks like the voltage is not high enough to have the full output from the solinoid. I suspect the contact in the neutral switch is not good. I rewired the ignition, directly from the key column to the solinoid 6 months ago, the problem never happened since. Just need to be careful to make sure the gear is in park or neutral and always apply brake when starting the engine since I override the neutral switch.

Banging on the starter solves his problem. Hard to believe it's anything but the starter or solenoid.

Just as many others, the Camry starts when it wants to. Always starts up fine cold, but when it's warm, it's like Russian Roulette.
1st - Tested Battery - Advance Auto said it was good
2nd - Replaced the starter, assuming I could use a new one anyway
3rd - Replaced the (+) terminal connector to eliminate corrosion

In each instance, I thought I made an impact.
The performance benefits I received were sheer grace from God.
Because, now the thing has failed two days in a row.
I checked the battery voltage (12.7 V) as it should be.
I started it and checked the voltage (14.15 V) as it should be.
I've ruled out the alternator and battery.
I measured voltage @ alternator (14.2 V), so cable is ruled out.
I don't think .05 V drop is causing the problem.

There does seem to be something funny about the ignition switch.
My sis-in-law drove the car and pulled the key out without unlocking it.
Once, I couldn't get the key into the switch at all until jabbing at it several times.

Don't buy a new starter, buy a Jegs Hot Shot relay kit. I guarantee it will solve your problem (well almost)! I have an 1988 and have been thru this hassle for many years. I installed the relay kit and have had no futher problems. The kit comes as a harness and is simple to install. I think it was about $30.00. It really solved my problems

JJ

If you bought a rebuilt starter, you have no assurance that it is any better than the one in there. Replace the contacts.

If you bought a rebuilt starter, you have no assurance that it is any better than the one in there. Replace the contacts.
I'm not so happy I bought the starter now, because I think the factory starter was a better starter.
It still fires up ok, but it doesn't disengage well after it starts.
I visited the toyota techinfo site and found out that the 88 - 91 Toyotas were bad about the ignition cylinders going bad due to design and also due to High Theft Rates.
I'm curious about this relay kit and how it will fix it.
An ignition is $81 bucks if I have to order one.

I'm curious about this relay kit and how it will fix it.
An ignition is $81 bucks if I have to order one. the kit adds a relay to the starter solenoid circuit. The ignition switch is used as a contol to the new solenoid witch in turn takes a new 12v wire and splices into the old solenoid input wire. It slams a full 12 volts off the battery to the starter solenoid. I hope this makes sense. I've never had bit of problems since installation, I wish I'd done this 5 years ago. I also had replaced my ignition switch which never help the problem.
JJ

How is this relay different from the relay already installed from the factory? Think twice before you modify the Toyota electical system. Just because it helped someone doesn't mean it will help you.

I still think you have bad contacts in the rebuilt starter. Why don't you just replace the contacts and be done with it? It's much cheaper than any other possible fix and easy to do. Don't screw with modifying the starting system. Most people don't have problems with it.

How is this relay different from the relay already installed from the factory? Think twice before you modify the Toyota electical system. Just because it helped someone doesn't mean it will help you.

Interesting you advise not to try something that has worked while at the same time you advise someone to replace starters, contacts etc, that has proved not to solve the starting problem. This relay kit was original made for GM auto who has hot starting problems.

All I have proposed is a cheaper solution than replacing alot of parts that has never worked for myself or others, and posted what worked for me. As far as the statment "just because it helped someone doesn't mean it will help you" well that pretty much eliminates the need for any of these help boards doesn't it? Hey, what the hell, just my 2 cents. Hey this solved my problems, I could care less if anybody else trys it or not. I've retired my brass hammer head that I used to smack my starter with. Anybody need it, I don't!!!

JJ

I advise replacing the contacts - cheaper than your so-called fix.

You know, everyone else solves this type of problem by replacing the solenoid contacts. IT IS A COMMON FIX TO A COMMON PROBLEM. You are the only one who puts an additional relay in your starter circuit. I guess everyone else is wrong and you are the only one who is right.

Adding a GM fix to a Toyota makes alot of sense. You just got lucky and fixed a bad contact by changing wiring and don't know it. Your relay didn't do shit. That's the point, it didn't really work for you and you don't know it. Take it out. I bet nothing happens, except you are still able to start.

I advise replacing the contacts - cheaper than your so-called fix.

You know, everyone else solves this type of problem by replacing the solenoid contacts. IT IS A COMMON FIX TO A COMMON PROBLEM. You are the only one who puts an additional relay in your starter circuit. I guess everyone else is wrong and you are the only one who is right.

Adding a GM fix to a Toyota makes alot of sense. You just got lucky and fixed a bad contact by changing wiring and don't know it. Your relay didn't do shit. That's the point, it didn't really work for you and you don't know it. Take it out. I bet nothing happens, except you are still able to start.Maybe you should take a breath and read previous post before you reply. People have replaced starters, contacts (including myself) and it has NOT always cured the problem! No I'm not the only one thats right but by god it work for me, now if that sticks in your craw, to god damn bad! Thats also a pretty stupid when you cannot accept a fix on one car might work on another. Oh yeah thats right GM electrons are different than Toyota. Right Mr Tech, I'll go right out and remove the relay cause you said it didn't do shit, Don't thinks so pal. Bottom line it worked for me, regardless wether you like it or not sport!

JJ

Search this forum and you will have to back off - "Sport" Or don't you know how to search this forum?

Everyone should try the cheapest fix first - unless you want to give them the extra money to try your BS fix. There are at least four references on the web on how to change the starter contacts since it is such a common problem. You are the only one telling people to install some BS fix from GM.

Banging on the starter solves his problem - can't you read? That makes it the contacts, not some stupid problem requiring another starter relay. Read my lips - TOYOTAS DON'T HAVE TROUBLE WITH THEIR STARTER RELAY. You are going to see this again the next time you recommend your "fix" to anyone on this site.

And I'm not your pal - I'm the guy making you look like an emotional illogical mess.

I'm outa here. You can argue with yourself. Dick.

Everyone should try the cheapest fix first - unless you want to give them the extra money to try your BS fix. There are at least four references on the web on how to change the starter contacts since it is such a common problem. You are the only one telling people to install some BS fix from GM.

Banging on the starter solves his problem - can't you read? That makes it the contacts, not some stupid problem requiring another starter relay. Read my lips - TOYOTAS DON'T HAVE TROUBLE WITH THEIR STARTER RELAY. You are going to see this again the next time you recommend your "fix" to anyone on this site.

And I'm not your pal - I'm the guy making you look like an emotional illogical mess.

I'm outa here. You can argue with yourself. Dick.
You just don't listen do you? SOME OF US (with older models)HAVE CHANGED CONTACTS, INSTALLED STARTERS ETC. AND STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. Let me repeat myself again, just for you! AFTER installing new contacts and new starters I (along with others) still have starting problems.
Now as far my BS fix

1. replaced starter....no joy
2. replaced contacts...no joy
3. installed BS fix.....starter has worked perfectly for a year.

If you think your making me look like an illogical mess, tell me how many times you've tried my BS fix and it didn't work.

I'm done, you obviously know more than anybody else!

JJ is the name, not dick.....PAL !

Listen Dick - you can buy a rebuilt starter with bad contacts or haven't you figured that out?

You can keep your crap fix. Don't peddle it here. 99% of the people here fix their starters with contacts. Try the search button.

You are a waste of bandwidth Dick

Look Sonny, I've probably rebuilt more starters than you've had hot meals. The remanufactured starter I bought from Toyota was torn down by there techs when I returned it to them and there was nothing wrong with it. In fact they installed another and had no more ideas on what was happening, it worked till I got home, So don't give that crap about it needed contacts. Listen Sparky, if you even own a car and the starter works, then piss off, this doesn't concern you. I'll even let you return to you self made throne since you've appointed yourself the know everything God of Toyota's. I'm thru wasting my time with you, Pea Brain

Have a nice life
JJ

Listen Dick - we are concerned about other people's starter, not yours. You are only concerned about your starter. I don't give a rat's ass about your starter, except because you keep bringing it up. You must own that POS gizmo you keep trying to pawn off on people.

I'm your daddy. That makes me older than you.

Listen Dick - we are concerned about other people's starter, not yours. You are only concerned about your starter. I don't give a rat's ass about your starter, except because you keep bringing it up. You must own that POS gizmo you keep trying to pawn off on people.

I'm your daddy. That makes me older than you.Dear Daddy
You know you must be right, what was I thinking? I'm going out
side and take off that POS gizmo off my POS car. I'll go back to
pounding on the starter that has new contacts. Thanks for
enlightening me that my fix couldn't possibly work. I hope you sell
a million starter contacts. In fact to show you I'm a nice guy I'll
send you a few new starter contacts I have laying aroud the garage.

JJ

You don't address the fact that no one except you talks about this POS gizmo, which you probably sell out of your garage. You don't address the fact that the original poster can solve his problem by rapping on his starter, which is a common way of temporarily unsticking contacts ("I have no doubt now that the starter is bad from all the banging to get it to start."). You don't answer the question about how this POS gizmo is better than the Toyota starter relay and why replacing the Toyota relay doen't fix the problem and replacing the contacts works for everyone except you. You don't address any of the relevant points or search the forum for the simple and common and correct answer. You don't talk about anything except your starter and your POS gizmo, do you?

Hmmm "Jegs Hot Shot relay kit"... Name is JJ. A coincidence? I think NOT.

Sell your snake oil somewhere else, Dick or JJ or Jegs or Jack or whatever.

Now kids, if you both don't shut the f*ck up, I'll put the both of you in time out. Understand?