1990 Toyota Camry Intermittent Starting Problem

[gjthomas48]

My 1990 Toyota Camry 4 cyl intermittently fails to turn over when I attempt to start it. It just clicks (solenoid?) but does not turn over. So far, each time I have been able to start it by turning the key of and on 3 - ~ 20 times. Battery was tested and passed.

Is it likely to be the starter motor? Is it easy to R&R the starter?

Thanks

[Joe W]

The starter motor is a strong possibility(not hard to do).However you could clean and tighten the connections to the starter and see if it helps.(This is free).

[Brian R.]

Sounds like the contacts in your solenoid. You don't have to replace the entire starter if this is the problem. See the following links. You can also order starter contacts from Toyota. Cheap fix. Try this first before you replace the starter.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...arter+contacts

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

[gjthomas48]

Thanks to Brian R who correctly diagnosed the problem and gave impeccable instructions on how to solve it.

Thanks
Greg

[don24mac]

Glad to see the problem solved. Just wanted to add: I had the exact problem on my 90 4 cyl Camry. For me, it turned out to be the battery terminals. Battery was good. Once I cleaned the wire connectors and battery terminals, the problem was fixed.

[Brian R.]

A good way to test the battery terminal connection without disconnecting them is to take a DC voltmeter and apply one contact of the voltmeter to the positive battery terminal and the other contact to the clamp for the positive batter cable. Have someone crank the starter (or attempt to crank the starter) while you measure the voltage across the connection. If the connection is good between the battery terminal and the clamp, there should be no voltage difference between the clamp and the terminal when the engine is being cranked. You can to this for any connection in this high-amp circuit.

[calvic]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

A good way to test the battery terminal connection without disconnecting them is to take a DC voltmeter and apply one contact of the voltmeter to the positive battery terminal and the other contact to the clamp for the positive batter cable. Have someone crank the starter (or attempt to crank the starter) while you measure the voltage across the connection. If the connection is good between the battery terminal and the clamp, there should be no voltage difference between the clamp and the terminal when the engine is being cranked. You can to this for any connection in this high-amp circuit.

Brian I don't think you will get any reading with both leads of your DVM
on the positive side of the battery. You would get a current reading if you hooked your meter up in series with positive terminal. I read this thread because my starter has had this problem for a couple years. My starter just clicks once the car is good and hot. Only in the summer,95 degrees outside with a/c running. Works fine in the winter. I have replaced starters, replaced contacts ****no joy! I'm thinking the problem is between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid control wire connection. I think my next step is to bypass the ign. switch and add a momentary toggle sw. to a new relay then to the starter.
Any comments...........??
Thanks JJ

[88beater]

JJ, any luck with the new wire and toggle switch? I think I have the same problem as you. Can't figure out exactly why it won't crank...seems to happen more in the hot weather or if the car has been running a while. I've replaced/tested virtually everything except the wires themselves. I'm thinking of running a new control wire from the starter to the ignition switch bypassing the neutral safety switch and all wires in between...that should be ok...wouldn't you think? Unfortunately, I haven't got around to it yet though...what a frustrating problem to troubleshoot!!!