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Camry Will Not Start


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Garrett L
New User

Apr 21, 2016, 10:02 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1300 views)
Camry Will Not Start Sign In

I own a 2011 Toyota Camry bought used in 2013 with a little over 35000 miles on it. I have had the vehicle not start once, which was August 2015 when the stock battery died and needed replacing. I have had no other issues with the vehicle.

I drove the vehicle on Sunday night without any issues or warnings. The next morning, my Camry would not start. The lights, display and radio all work perfectly but the engine will not turn over. It does not crank, and only gives a single click.

I attempted to jump start the car later in the day, but that failed with no change in the single click response. The battery might have been exceptionally low that a jump start would not work, so I placed the battery on a charger for a couple hours and attempted reinstalled it again the next day. There was still no change in response.

At this point I checked all the wires and connections. They were dirty so I cleaned them off, confirmed no disconnections and still had no change in response. The battery and connections all seem fine, so my thought was that the starter itself might be faulty.

I removed the stater and brought it to two different O'Rielly Autopart stores and have them test it. Mixed results while one claimed the starter was fine, and the other claimed it is faulty. I purchased a new starter, installed it and still no change in response.

I adjusted the gears to see if the safety switch on the Park/Neutral setting might have become no longer synchronized. No change in response.


My vehicle specifications are:
2011 Toyota Camry LE
4-Cylinder
61000 Miles
Battery is one year new. Starter is brand new. All other parts are stock and in excellent condition.

I have spent three days on this car and still cannot diagnose the problem. Any advice or assistance in this matter would be much appreciated.

Thank you.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 21, 2016, 12:07 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1263 views)
Re: Camry Will Not Start Sign In

Before this gets too involved is the single click still the same and whether being jumped or not? Also with that do all lights go out for a while or even a second up to reset any preset things like radio - other stuff? I trust you can tell if engine is somehow totally seized up?


This is common if the starter solenoid makes a single click to be low power delivery to it - so low you don't even get the machine gun flutter of the solenoid.
Battery cable connections would be my first thing to look at. You've cleaned those and a new starter so been there so leaves the engine block end of negative cable to check then the cables themselves if anything seen wrong. All that OK then let's move on with how to test it out where voltage + amps drop out on you,


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Apr 21, 2016, 12:09 PM)


Garrett L
New User

Apr 21, 2016, 1:10 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1259 views)
Re: Camry Will Not Start Sign In

The response when attempting to start the car is with a single click with no variation across all tried methods. The electronic devices do not have any fluctuation with all the tried methods either because they all operate normally and consistently. No flickering, stuttering or dimming.

No symptoms of a seized engine presented themselves prior to the failure. There were and are no unusual noises or smells. For three days my car has not moved and no fluids or leaks presented themselves. No other symptoms of a seized engine came up during my tests. It is not likely but nothing is impossible.

I will be conducting a test with a volt meter later today after I learn a bit more on how to use it. In hindsight, should have used the volt meter before purchasing a new starter.

Thank you for the response. I will post an update with my findings on the volt meter.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 21, 2016, 1:42 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1255 views)
Re: Camry Will Not Start Sign In

I was beginning with just intuition of what's common and be done with this.


Yes - without going way too nuts with test equipment you can do a lot with a decent voltmeter. This car is plain too new for me to know off hand any specific designs that are lousy despite it's age now.


Electrical wires, cables, clamps all stink for quite some time now. Feel cables for soft spots, insulation that's burned or clues then move on to see if the starter is making the single click for sure or just the solenoid - it matters. Test that cable to solenoid on top of starter for voltage drop while you are requesting starter motor. If voltmeter fast enough compare that to battery voltage at the same with a subsequent try and if much different at the starter the cable is junk most likely.
You aren't losing other electrical apparently and if room (do say what engine this has please) with care and caution can jumper cable right over the battery cable to solenoid - room allowed and type of jumper cables which also stink 99% of the time and really best not used from another vehicle anymore but rather to a spare battery or use a jumper box.
The chances of a second starter having the exact same issues isn't high IMO and experience. I now doubt it was a problem to begin with.


Just a suggestion is to keep parts with core charges for a while even a starter which by rights you shouldn't be able to return but if core isn't expensive you have a known good one if this swaptronics proved that WASNT it.
My sign off says long retired from this stuff which is true but still check out and do as needed whatever for myself or others just lots less.


If any doubt about engine being seized up and might want to rule that out turn it by belt if it will or crank bolt a full turn. Check oil if too full also.


When known this is likely an interference engine and if a timing belt on those just broke the split second you shut it off last valves may not allow engine to turn or already bent first valve in not starting?
Other would be oil too full, fuel somehow (not likely) still sprayed thru injectors and a maybe of hydraulic lock? Kinda doubt that.
One other is if harmonic balancer (lower pulley for belt) is out of line in any way visually things could be all off. This new? Maybe?


T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Apr 21, 2016, 3:50 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1238 views)
Re: Camry Will Not Start Sign In

While someone is holding the ignition in the start position, tap on the starter motor with something (hammer, broom handle, metal pipe). Don't beat the crap out of it. If the starter takes off if you tap on it, replace the starter.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 22, 2016, 2:29 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1229 views)
Re: Camry Will Not Start Sign In

Yes DS. Despite being a new/or rebuilt starter now could have the same issue the core from another had and nice new clean up with little really replace but worked long enough to quick test and sell it!
? Why could this happen to many: Too many folks keep running weak batteries which is too hard on a starter motor which will try and get too hot unlike what you would think then that one is not dependable to redo IMO again without wild and total parts replaced I seriously doubt is really done despite claims,


T







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