my car won't start. but heard click sound.

505

Asked by rich_lu Feb 03, 2015 at 02:30 PM about the 1994 Toyota Camry LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

my car won't start. battery is 12.5V. there is click sound when turning the key. but no crank.  sometimes after I checked battery, tighten the connection, then car could start. now seems I don't have lucky anymore. in this case, what could me the problem?

29 Answers

690

Most likely your starter needs new contacts in solenoid. However, those contacts usually not available in the regular parts stores and only in special stores. Most likely there is a "starter shop" in the town that will replace them for you.

17 people found this helpful.
505

Hi, Vitasmotorz, Isn't the sound from solenoid? if so, that mean solenoid is fine. mmh, no the sound seems like from relay. not from solenoid.

21 people found this helpful.
690

Yes in fact your solenoid is working. However your contacts are worn and your starter does not start cranking. I had the same problem and was able to buy those contacts from "starter shop" and replaced them myself. Here is a link for reference only http://www.discountstarterandalternator.com/p-6129-starter-solenoid- repair-kit-contact-plunger-set-acura-dodge-lexus-toyota.aspx? CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=COLiwazJxsMCFY17fgodPoIA_Q

24 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
690

First link doesn't work so here is another link just for example how it looks: http://www.amazon.com/STARTER-SOLENOID-REPAIR-Contact- Plunger/dp/B00DQ9V5Z6

10 people found this helpful.
505

thanks Vitasmotorz. seems you are right. you said you changed the solenoid contacts yourself. what is your car brand? how do I locate my starter ? is it easy to replace it? thank you so much.

8 people found this helpful.
690

Here is a link that might help you even it is for older car I believe: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/102-1st-2nd-generation-1983-1986- 1987-1991/354129-how-replace-starter-motor-solenoid-contacts- intermittent-starting-problem.html

12 people found this helpful.
430

i have the same problem, my battery was good, starter was good but my car won't crank. An auto shop tested my starter and said it was good

43 people found this helpful.
165

check the wires and make sure everything is tightened down properly

6 people found this helpful.
360

I have the same problem I have an 02 Toyota corolla I replace the battery and even got the starter tested it was fine it's clicking when I try to crank it

36 people found this helpful.
610

My 95 Toyota Camry just started doing the same thing as discribed above. No crank no start. All lights work. Battery is good. Tested alternator, good. Turn the key and just hear a single click sound. I touch the solenoid while someone else turns the key and it is obvious that the click is coming from starter solenoid. Any suggestions? Where would I find my starter relay fuse?

61 people found this helpful.
80

I just fix my 97 Toyota Camry same problem it would click and then most times it would start if I tryed it again. contacts in the solenoid $3.50 at a local alternator-generator shop, easy to replace hardest part is getting the starter off

8 people found this helpful.
530

I have the same problem with my 1994 Toyota Camry as of October 26th, 2016... I have had a new battery and starter installed back in May of 2016... I don't know why but it seems there's a drain do you think it might be a fuse problem for me

24 people found this helpful.
110

to no. 150 and 110. I encountered your problem recently and I dismantled the starter motor and brought it to the shop. They had me bought a new solenoid sw and replaced it then it was alright thereafter. But my problem now is different bcoz the there is no response, not even a click sound, whenever I turn the ignition key. This condition started after a tool fell on the running engine and created a short circuit between the solenoid and the engine body until the engine stopped running. I am thinking of the relay but with doubt so I decided to check on the fuses tomorrow. What is more probable in my case?

11 people found this helpful.
505

my handy neighbour helped me fixed problem. seems it's contact issue. He bought a cable. I payed him 100$ for job and parts.

8 people found this helpful.
1,550

Rapid clicking is noit caused by a defective solenoid contacts. With bad solenoid contacts you on hear one click and nothing happens. Multiple clicking is cause by the solenoid re-engaging, As the solenoit connect the starter motor the volatge from the battery goes too low to maintain the solenoid pulled in and the solenoid releases and because you have the ignition switch turn to the crank position the solenoid re-eangages and will continue to turn on and off as long as you have the ignition switch turned on. There are two possibilities for this truoble...1 a weak battery..make sure battery terminals are tight...to check for this turn on your head light and crank the engine, if the light gets very dim or goes out or turn on and off in sync with the solenoid ...you've got a battery problem. The second possibility is a loose connection in your starter cables...do the same test as above and if it's a bad connection to the starter your head light will dim only little and may flicker a little in sync with the clicking of the solenoid. Check cable on battery terminals and on starter and ground.

36 people found this helpful.
130

I have a similar problem, very sporadic,sometimes it just does a clicking sound and does not start, try a few more times and ok. Then its fine for days and then randomly comes back. I got a new battery they said was probably the cause, but it did it again, so they tell me its the Starter.I bought a used Starter for $50.00 and am trying to do it myself. But the used one looks really OLD so now Im thinking if Im gonna do this I should get a new one, not too expensive, but now its been starting fine for 3 days? If the problem is NOT the Starter Im wasting my time and money?

13 people found this helpful.
50

What would drain the battery ,if it's just sitting there

5 people found this helpful.
90

Check all connections starting from battery, i had this same problem ended up being the ground to the body was severely rusted. Broke the bolt so i grounded to the fender, worked great after

9 people found this helpful.
100

I found this on 2 Camrys: the battery's ground wire is mounted to the block with a bolt, which tends to collect water since the hole is vertical. I removed the bolt, cleaned up the terminal, bolt, and hole with a wire brush, and reassembled. End of problem. You may have to remove some air cleaner parts to access the bolt.

10 people found this helpful.
120

cleaned connections as well as grounding wire connection and solved problem! thanks Al!

7 people found this helpful.
120

start with the basics for all problems, youtube everything before going to mechanics. i've probably saved multiple hundreds of dollars by buying and installing my own parts. between this forum and helpful videos online, i haven't had to take my vehicle to a mechanic yet (knock on wood). thanks guys for the helpful advice. some of these solutions are free but you would get charged hundreds if you didn't know any better.

5 people found this helpful.
85

This is to AI. You can change that number to three Camrys. This is in reference to your response in January (approx) about a Camry not starting because of the ground wire bolted to the engine block (or frame in my case). I was two days into trying various things and online research, when I came across AI's answer to the original question. Sure enough, the one thing I didn't do, the same thing a lot of people neglect to do, was to clean up the contacts at the OTHER end of the battery cables. I guess it's an out of sight, out of mind kinda thing. I actually just jiggled it a little at first. But that alone got the car to immediately turn over when my husband turned the key. I'm just waiting for the cables I ordered online to get here (and hoping I can access the attachment points without too much trouble). The one thing I'm still wondering though is why, whenever I turned the key all the dash and interior lights would go out. Anyone have any ideas about why that happened? I'd be really interested in understanding that aspect. Unless it's something additional that's going on. I just found out another thing that might help a lot of you who are having similar problems. AutoZone will check your battery, starter, solenoid, and most any other component of your electrical system for you. Just pull your car up, go inside and ask someone there to help you. Pretty cool. I didn't know they did anything like that. Especially today, when everybody is out to get that last dollar stuck at the bottom of your pocket! Thanks again, AI! You probably saved me a good $500 or more from some shady mechanic telling me I needed a new starter, solenoid, and probably an entire wiring harness. Like I always say, start with the cheapest and simplest things first. Have a great day everybody! I will.

8 people found this helpful.
50

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla LE and it just did the whole clicking thing and not starting. I then realized that it did that because I locked the doors before starting the car. WEIRD! I KNOW! So I had to use my key to unlock the car(while I was inside) it flickered twice on the dashboard and when I put the key in the ignition. THE CAR STARTED!!! I tried it again. Switched my car off. Opened the door, locked the door, put the key in the ignition to start the car and it did the click sound. Unlocked the car at the door, tried to start the car but it still did the click sound, UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE KEY.... THE CAR STARTED.

5 people found this helpful.
10

#25. Sudden problem. All my dash lights go out when I step on the brake and mostly go out when i turn on the lights or try to start the car. I changed the batter and same. When I was jumping it, the starter rapidly clicked but that was all. I check the negative cable where it is ground to the car - its OK. I even used a jumper cable from the neg. to the engine block - same story with the lights going out. 1995 camry.

1 people found this helpful.
20

#10 some cars have a security setup to where if you lock your keys in the car and some one breaks in and finds your keys they cant still your car so by unlocking it with your key you shut down that security feater and can start your car. Jaguars are similar to that security part.

2 people found this helpful.
40

I have 2008 Camry and it’s a clicking sound dash lights blink on dashboard what is the problem

4 people found this helpful.

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