Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests a little help please...

Girlfriend drives an '88 Camry, 113k.

There is a short somewhere in the ignition circuit. When you turn the key to (Start), nothing happens. No crank, no click, no nothing.

The car has power, all the lights, accessories, etc. work, it just won't crank. It doesn't do it all the time. It starts most of the time, and when it does, it runs fine (for an old ass car).

This problem has been getting more frequent, and more persistent.

It seems like one of those deals where you have to hold your tongue just right, you know?

So i need some ideas of what i can do to diagnose and fix this problem. The car is going to leave her stranded one day when I'm not available to come get her.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Jed

additional info:

car has recent tune up to include:

plugs
plug wires
distributer cap (inside of distributer and the rotor were in ok shape)

am i looking at an intermittent coil problem? Do starter solenoids gradually die?

while were on that subject, what's the safe(est) way to arc the solenoid without shocking the [censored] out of myself? I've seen people blow perfectly good solenoids trying to arc them...

Peace

Jed

That sounds like what happened to my friends 1998 Accord. It turned out to be a bad ground to the starter, so maybe check that.

so, I figured out that the solenid was shot. bought a $1.50 test lead to jump the solenoid and she started right up. Cheapest piece of diagnostic equipment ever.

I'm going to replace it today, but check this out: Buying just the solenoid from Advance costs $150, and they have to order it. BUT, if you buy a starter/solenoid assy. (they're attatched to each other in this car), it only costs $80, and they have it in the store. WTF is that??

Ok, so, new problem: The power windows quit working together. I checked the fuse under the dash; not blown. What now?

Thanks

Jed

Tiv,

ok, about that brake pedal sensor...

I just paid $80 for a new starter/solenoid and it didn't work!

The diagnostic i did pointed directly at the solenoid; turn key and don't hear anything, then jump battery to starter; if car starts, then it's the solenoid.

Well, it still won't start. Still don't hear anything. Turn the key, and nothing, but i arc the solenoid, and it starts.

So, what was the brake pedal sensor problem and how do i fix it?

BTW, i just pulled and checked every fuse and fusible link in the car, and they're all good.

Pulling my hair out...

Jed

Automatics sometime have a problem with the switch on 'P' and/or 'N', thus no start.
In the old days ya lifted up on the grear lever to start the car.....