1999 Toyota Camry, approx 200,000 mi, 4-cyl

Tiny
ICEWOMAN
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  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
I have had intermittent problems with starting my car in hot temperatures (over 100 deg F); it only clicks. Usually, I could get it to start after a little time and additional attempts, but it would idle rough for about a minute then even out.

The last time this occurred, my car made a funny squeaking sound (not quite like a belt squeak). When I turned the ignition off and had the key in my hand, I discovered that the squeak was my starter still trying to turn over the engine. I replaced the key and only had to turn it to the on position for the car engine to turn over. This continued until I finally got the battery disconnected. The starter was smoking badly and shows signs of having been burned out (so, I think it's safe to say it needs to be replaced). Even now, if I hook up the battery the starter attempts to turn over briefly, but there is no electricity going to the rest of the car (so, I can't close the sun roof or windows). Is this a problem with the ignition switch? What else could be contributing?

I'm a college student and will be trying to repair the vehicle myself because of cost.

Thank you for your help.
Friday, June 8th, 2007 AT 3:37 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
KIN CHAN
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  • 453 POSTS
Know any thing about voltage drop test?
Kin
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Friday, June 8th, 2007 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
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Very little, but am willing to learn. [I used to do all the repairs for my '89 Dodge Aries. Except for the fuel pump. Couldn't drop the tank. :) ] Understand the gist. To find an electric breach, but don't have equipment.
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Friday, June 8th, 2007 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
KIN CHAN
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I thoroughly read ur problem. Sounds like a bad ignition switch which somehow stuck at the start position even the key is not turn to the start position. Any prolong period of starter engagement will cause starter burn out.99' toyota is a lot more complicate than an 88' dodge.U best bet is test out the ignition switch and chk fuisble links and fuse. Which require a known good wiring diagram.1 more thing. Test out an electrical fuel pump is by chking current waveform, voltage, volume fllow and pressure. As the fuel pump for new toyota. Some are control by direct pusaltion amperage from the main power ctrl computer which require factory or equivalent capable scanner together with oscilliscope to monitor the on time from mulitiple input signal.
Good luck man
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Saturday, June 9th, 2007 AT 2:46 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for your help. Makes me feel better about my diagnosis.

Next question is: How do you replace the ignition switch?
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Saturday, June 9th, 2007 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
KIN CHAN
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Why not test it b4 replacing it. What happen if thats not the problem. This is a li'o macroscrobic. Not cars but people way of behavior. People just throwing darts or rolling dice in life and hoping whatever they do without studying or investigating. Shotgun it and wish their problem will go alway.
- find a good wiring diagram !
- spend a nite over internet learn some basic of electrical wiring diagram
- get a volt meter(less than $20)
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Sunday, June 10th, 2007 AT 6:47 AM
Tiny
AXLMAN
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I've kinda have the same issue with my'89 camry. My mechanic is going to wire in an external solenoid to the starter to give the starter more power. I checked around with other shops and part stores and they all have told me that with some camry's, wiring is an issue.
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Sunday, June 17th, 2007 AT 5:52 PM

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