1990 Camry Starting Problems

[tazzie]

Hi all! Was wondering if I could get some help. My 1990 camry every now and then has starting issues. Only hear a single 'click' when ignition is turned. Will always start when ignition left in the 'ON' position and contact via a lead from the starter motor to the positive terminal is made. After reading several threads in relation to starting problems, I believe it may be the Starter Relay, as my battery is fully charged.

Can someone please advise as to where I may find the Starter Relay?

Your help is much appreciated.

Taz

[csaxon]

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=166530&page=1

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

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d8013e21e.jsp

[vicchang]

Besides the starter, your neutral switch may be faulty. I had the same problem on my Camry. Repaired the starter but didn't help.

I measured the voltage at the battery, it's about 12 volts. But only about 9 volts at the starter solinoid terminal. I did the same thing, jump from the battery to the starter, and it works everytime. I ended up with re-routing the wire to bypass the neutral switch and problem resolved. Never happen again. Just need to be sure the stick is at neutral position when starting.

[pbrooks259]

If you have a moment check out the following, although, of course, not definitively the solution:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbu...ad.php?t=479067

[pbrooks259]

I apologize, 91 Camry wouldn't start this evening; so, apparently, "alternator not charging" is not the problem, as suggested in above link. As noted elsewhere, must be starter or starter solenoid or wiring thereof. I'm returning my rebuilt starter; had installed for 2+ mos. Non-start status returned about 2-3 wks. after rebuilt starter installed. Maybe I should buy new starter????

[pbrooks259]

I believe herein lies the answer--bad, pitted, or worn out solenoid contacts:

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

I used contacts A&B on my 91 Camry 2.5L v6--2FVZE, is it?, but maybe should've used A&D--D seems more concentric with the plunger; both are 22mm wide. I just sanded the center round copper contact around the plunger with the fine side of a finger nail file, probably could have stood to have been a bit finer. But, mine seems to not suffer from this disease anymore.

As the site states, I wouldn't install a rebuilt starter/solenoid. I did this twice, and it ended up after a while doing the same thing--"1 click" and no start. Maybe it's inferior contacts, not sure.

[Brian R.]

That is just repeating what csaxon posted with his links. I agree, in this case, it is most likely the solenoid contacts.

[all168]

I believe if the neutral safety switch is bad, it won't make the click noise. IMO, it is most likely the starter problem, otherwise, it probably is the battery problem.