2000 Toyota Camry Starter clicks

Tiny
SOUTHERNBYNATURE
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
Sometimes when attempting to start, the starter will click as if the solenoid is energizing. The starter does not engage. Then I can put it in neutral and it will start. That stopped working. I can pull on the steering wheel and it will start. Just the other day I turned down the radio and it started. Different things seems to allow starting. Is it just coinsidence and I need a starter or do I have an electrical problem. Currently, nothing I do will allow starting.
Monday, November 24th, 2008 AT 3:51 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

I would be checking the starter first, have it removed and bench tested, and if OK start back tracking down the starting circuit to do your fault finding, start there.

Here are some guides that can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

and this will give you an idea of what you are in for when replacing the starter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Diagram (BELOW)

Mark
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Monday, November 24th, 2008 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
JANINE123
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 196,000 MILES
My 1996 totota camry wont start. Had the battery tested and it is fine. I was told that when I put the key in the ignitition to turn the key 10-20 times and it will catch. Did that for about a month now it wont start. When I put the key in it just goes - click-. Nothing else. I have lites, radio etc.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JANINE123
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JANINE123
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
What is a multi meter
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JANINE123
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
What is a mult meter
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
A multi meter measures volts ohms etc. You need one to test for power at the starter while trying to start it.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KIKI11
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
My car has been sitting for a a few months, the battery, drained, but will take a jump and is fine. When I turn the ignition, there is clicking sound. The car has been well maintained, and I want to fix it myself before donating it. Is it the starter for sure? I know how to remove it, I think, if I can get my hands on a socket wrench. Just want to avoid paying someone to do something I can figure out.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
If the starter cranks over fine with a jump start, then it appears the starter is just fine. Are you getting this clicking sound when jump starting it or when not?
If not, the clicking sound is because of the drained battery.
You should get the charging system tested to make sure the alternator is working.
If it is, and the battery continues to drain like over night or after a few days, then you have a short circuit somewhere. Then you would need to disconnect the negative battery cable, install a DC ammeter. Inline and make sure you get no more than a 50mA reading with everything turned off and the key removed. If it is more than 50mA, that is 0.050 amps, then start pulling the fuses one at a time, leave them out and continue until the ammeter drops safely below 50mA, then hook the battery backup, remove the ammeter and now make sure everything on that fuse's circuit does work, cause that may give you a clue as to what is shorted.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BEAVER0911
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 250000 miles

Today, I went out to my reliable toyota and for the first time since I have owned it, it would not start. I thought it was a dead battery, but the all electrical systems work (radio, heat, and all lights). When I turn the key, there is no response, not even a click. When I try to turn it over, the radio goes out, but the idiot lights stay on. I tried to jump start it, but even so, not even a click from the starter. My diagnosis is the starter is dead and sapping all the power from the battery, causing the radio to go out. Am I right?
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter, starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Hi guys. One extra note. I think the radio going out is normal. It should only get power when the ignition switch is in the "Accessory" or "Run" position. Same is true of the heater fan. Those things are turned off during cranking to save the current for the starter.

Caradiodoc
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALMEXTEX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 112000 miles

when turning key it only clicks and clicks, then it starts. Could it be the starter?[ Battery is new, cables are clean]
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Most likely dead spot in starter armeture so yes starter needs testing and /or replaced
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be the starter motor, starter relay, transmission range switch and ignition switch.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JANINE123
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 196,000 MILES
My 1996 toyota camry wont start. The battery was tested and it is fine. I have lights and radio, etc. I was told to turn key 15-20 times and it will catch. Ive done that previously. Now nothing. When I put the key in the ignition it just goes - click- one time, thats all.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Depends on that click you're hearing. If it's a rather loud single clunk each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank", that is caused by worn contacts in the starter solenoid. Those can be replaced for about 20 bucks but most people just replace the entire starter. The clue is that it will crank after cycling the ignition switch multiple times, and it will get progressively worse over weeks or months.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCSANCHEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,645 MILES
Starter will click when turned over won't start until about the tenth try?
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
**No crank at all/nothing/nada when key is engage to starting position

Could be the starter, starter relay, park and neutral switch/transmission position switch and ignition switch assuming the battery condition and connections are good. Note:If it doesn't apply disregard.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRCOOPER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Toyota Camry 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 150000 miles

My step sons 98 camry has a starting problem. When he attemps to start the car the ignition just clicks. For a while he was able to cycle the key several times and the car would start but now it will not start at all no matter how many time the key is cycled. I checked the fuses and they seem to be fine. Battery is fine. Not a mechanic by any means but my gut tells me that its either some kind of switch problem, brake? Or maybe the starter itself? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank You!
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)

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