starting problems

about a couple weeks ago my car started to have a lil problem. When i would turn the key over it would just click ( radio ect would come on) i have to do this about 3-4 times and then it will actually go to the starter and turn the engine over. does this have anything to do with the seleniod? please help!!!

hmm, i would think that there might be something wrong with the starter if its having trouble engaging.

I had the same thing a few months ago... thought it was electrical at first but it all went away when I replaced the solenoid and haven't had a problem since.

If it's clicking that means the soleniod is working usually. Sounds more like the starter motor is wearing out.

before you go replacing the starter (or even rebuilding it), check to make sure your battery is good. take it to auto zone, o'reilly's, or whatever chain auto store is in your area--they should test your battery for free.

reason being, the starter on my dad's car (96 camry) was doing the same things. i checked the battery and it was putting out 12.8 volts or something close to that...so that number sounded good to me. but AFTER wire-hunting for a f#%*@& 'ballast resistor' (i was told that was what was wrong since i 'knew' the battery was good) and AFTER REBUILDING the starter.... it turned out just to be a bad battery. but the battery was less than 6 months old.

so IF its your battery, make sure to get a GOOD battery (Duralast, Optima, Interstate).

I replaced my battery... and alternator (funny how things seem to all go out at once). after all that I still had the issue with the starter not kicking in till 3 or 4 tries.

i had same problem kind of. it eventually took like a million tries to get it to start. found a loose wire going to the starter. made me happy getting 200dollars back for starter that i bought.