car trouble: Modern style starting issue.

[Brock Samson]

My GF's 2005 Camry will sometimes not start,.. like every 5th 6th or 7th time, at first i came and gave her jumps,.. she finally had to call AAA who sold her a new Battery, didn't seem like the old one was down on power but that's what they recommended and so she want with it... Anyhow, since then a few times after sitting for 45 minutes or so, it starts right up, like it wants to not start when warm after being driven, but recently now it won't start after being cooled down or even cold, we've been to two different Toyota service bays now, and they can't recrerate the problem but did manage to recommend $2K in new struts at all four corners, so they did do something besides charge her for telling her they don't know what's wrong and to call them back next time it wont start... so yesterday cold in her garage at work it wouldn't start, but lo and behold when the tow arrived - it started right up.
Now a third toyota garage has the six-cylinder camry and said they have no idea, it might be a starter, might be the ignition.... Any thoughts from the master mechanics here?.. 

[Back N Black]

does it crank over but not start?  or is it not cranking over? 

[Brock Samson]

 the dash/warning lights all go on but no mechanical response - only a light click can be heard when underhood..

[tan top]

is there easy access to the starter wiring  ??  could be loose conection  at starter motor !!   

[Brock Samson]

i'm thinking starter too..

[tan top]

if you can see the starter , next time it clicks , & the conections check out ok , give the starter a wack with a hammer    or if its a manual trans car stick it in 4th & rock to & frow a little !, take it back out of gear ! then try starting 95 % of the time it works  

[Back N Black]

Yep, sounds like the starter or starter solenoid.

[Brock Samson]

 problem is she's allways stranded on the street with the car...on the street..
then the problem can't re recreated...

[Cooter]

Sounds like a starter to me..Common problem on Toyotas and Imports alike with the Nippendenso Starters...I wish I could find out where MM magazine found those rebuild pieces for the solenoids as I'd just rebuild mine...There are two little contacts inside the starter, one has the big lug on it..After so many starts, they wear a grove in 'em and the starter only "Clicks"..Next time it happens, try to keep clicking the starter and it should eventually crank over...(Click, click,Click, Click, Clerrr,err,er)...

If this happens, you will have to replace the starter...Just tell those guys a Toyota to replace it with a good NAPA Starter that has a warranty..
Oh and BTW: Guys PLEASE understand and read this::: JUST BECAUSE THOSE GUYS WEAR THE WORD "TOYOTA" ON THEIR UNIFORM, DOES NOT MEAN THEY KNOW TOYOTAS!!!!
Ask any of 'em next time just for sh*ts and grins, where it was they were before they came to Toyota....Most round here have only worked for dealerships because of the pay scale, about 5 years MAX...One of the so-called "Toyota" techs here I know came from Wal-Mart.....

Get ready guys, cause guess what the set up is in those great little "mini" high torque starters we have and love on our older Musclecars....Same thing, just a different "Snout" on the front..

[Silver R/T]

That's probably all you need....
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/DOR3/02349.oap?keyword=starter&pt=N0277&ppt=C0330

[A383Wing]

yup...needs a starter...common problem...

and yea...same issue with the modern starters on the Mopar vehicles...usually just the contacts inside...

[Brock Samson]

just back from picking the car up at the dealer again, where they say they can't recreate the problem say they want $642 for a starter it will take three days for them to get in stock... this just all sound wrong to me,  I replaced the starter in my RV early this yr, and it cost me well under $200. took 25 minutes once i squeezed under to get the old core out...  Your thoughts please and thanks for all those offered so far... 

[Cooter]

You evidently haven't seen where that starter is at on a V6 Toyota....Maybe not all of that $600.00 is the cost of the starter itself..Labor may be in that quote as well......You COULD try and replace it yourself, just expect to make up a few new cuss words for that Toyota in the end...

[A383Wing]

common issue if starter don't work when cold...then once you get it started, it's good until the next morning...

Try local NAPA or brand name part store...Toyota is just gonna keep saying the same thing

[BrianShaughnessy]

Sounds like a starter to me..Common problem on Toyotas and Imports alike with the Nippendenso Starters...I wish I could find out where MM magazine found those rebuild pieces for the solenoids as I'd just rebuild mine...There are two little contacts inside the starter, one has the big lug on it..After so many starts, they wear a grove in 'em and the starter only "Clicks"..Next time it happens, try to keep clicking the starter and it should eventually crank over...(Click, click,Click, Click, Clerrr,err,er)...

Similar deal to old GM starter / starter relay problems.    Take the starter relay off the starter,  remove the nose piece,  flip the "washer" over,  put it back together.  Fixed.  $0. 

[Brock Samson]

 Imma look at it in the AM... thanks!