my first question about cars

[warlock110]

i have a toyota camry 4 cyl 4 doors 89, and the problem is every day in the moring when i try to started it woun't start on the first try, i have to turn the key for 2 sec, stop (cause my dad said that if i leave it too long the engine will burn, and to be honest my dad doesn't know much about cars, he's just like me, so i can't trust him, u guys knows anything about this? :)) any how on the second try it will start, and after school which is like 6-8 hours parking in the parking lot, the problem repeats again, but let say i leave it for like 1-2 hours i can start it on the first try. I've asked a couple people and they all say different things about it, some said it's the starter (what the hell is that?) some say it's the spark plug (again what the hell is that?) and some say it's normal for cars to be like that, i doubed though, and also this happens to my 95 camry too, which is another camry with 4 doors and 4 cyl just like the other one, just newer.

[Con Khi Kho]

My sister had a 95 Camry with the same prob like your car too. The first time it was the starter. I replaced and everything back to normal. After a while the same problem repeat it was the spark plug and the cable. I replaced that one too. The problem is solved. Could be one of those two. Maybe you should bring it out to Kragen or other auto shop ask them to check it out for you. Hope it work for you like it's work for me.

[GioLanh]

Read this thread. It will answer ur problem :)
http://www.vietcyber.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34081

If U turn the key to start and U hear a sound "click, click" and it stops. It's more likely the starter (actually regulator of starter).

[sacodi]

Hi WARLOCK110,

Seem like you're having the common problem with the Camry
Here is how to trouble shooting and find what exactly what is the problem:

1. When you're starting up your car, does is make a "click , click" sound, or it start and stop ? Does you have to leave the key in ON mode for awhile and then start again ?
IF yes, then the problem lying with your Regulator

2. If it make a "click , click" sound, several time before it start, then it either be with your STARTER does not shooting out to crank the fly wheel, OR your Transmission safe lock for start it not in the correct position

To test out if your transmission safe lock for start work or not, turn key to START and the other hand move the gear around the Parking mode, or put into Neutral, it is does start, then the problem is with your transmission safe lock for start (you can have any mechanic to adjust this for little fee)

The worse is the Starter, it's could range from $80-$120 part & labor, depending where you're at)

Good luck with your car, and Happy New Year

[GioLanh]

Originally posted by sacodi
Hi WARLOCK110,

Seem like you're having the common problem with the Camry
Here is how to trouble shooting and find what exactly what is the problem:

1. When you're starting up your car, does is make a "click , click" sound, or it start and stop ? Does you have to leave the key in ON mode for awhile and then start again ?
IF yes, then the problem lying with your Regulator

2. If it make a "click , click" sound, several time before it start, then it either be with your STARTER does not shooting out to crank the fly wheel, OR your Transmission safe lock for start it not in the correct position

To test out if your transmission safe lock for start work or not, turn key to START and the other hand move the gear around the Parking mode, or put into Neutral, it is does start, then the problem is with your transmission safe lock for start (you can have any mechanic to adjust this for little fee)

The worse is the Starter, it's could range from $80-$120 part & labor, depending where you're at)

Good luck with your car, and Happy New Year
CORRECTION !!!
1) I highly suspect this :)
U can buy the starter (comes with regulator) from Autozone for 40-50 bucks and change it yourself (about 15 min to do it). It locates on the driver side closed to the battery. It has 2 bolts.
2) I was thinking about this but it's not his case.
I agree with U that trans safe lock for start is kinda common problem for '87-91 Camry.
Here is how the "trans safe lock for start" problem is like.
When U turn the key to start, U won't hear any thing. After a few tries, all the sudden it starts. All U need to do is adjust the cable (it's getting loosed through years).

[warlock110]

hehe coldwind, i just leared how to fill up my gas tank, i guess this would need some one with pretty good skill with cars. i'll look in to it though, thanks.

[GioLanh]

Starter for Camry is very to change.
If U don't mind getting your hands dirty little, then do it.
It will save U a day of work :)

[warlock110]

sound's good hehe, i can get dirty as long as it saves me money :)

[Nam]

I am confusing...since there are many different opinions here.

My suspects are:

Sorry warlock110, you might not be familar with these terms...but you can always learn. It never implies that getting your hand dirty will be things done...you need to know what you are doing.

if you turn on the ignintion key and start the engine...you hear the noice indicates that the engine is turning but not starting...especially in the cold moring...your cold start fuel injector may be clogged, or cold start injector solenoid is not functioning properly. I've seen plenty of clogged cold start fuel injectors in toyota engines.

On the other hand, if you just hear some clicks, more likely it's the indication of your starter starts to wear out! late 80's toyota starters and alternators usually last for about 140K miles...after that...you know what happens.

Just couple suggestions, good luck

Nam

[warlock110]

it's the one where the engine is turning but not starting one. so i guess no needs to change the starter huh?

[thuongnguoi]

maybe the spring inside your start start to worn out, try to put some WD40 and see if it help...