YACT: Starting problems

[compnovice]

My 1990 Camry does not start. It just cranks once before the lights on the dashboard go out and the engine does not start. I have to wait a few minutes before dashboard lights come on if I turn on the ignition switch.

It seemed to me that the starter wasn't working. I got it tested at autozone and they said its perfect and so was the battery. Any other reasons this could be happening?..

I have not tested the alternator but the battery was charged so I didn't think the alternator was causing the trouble.

How do I check for bad connections in the wiring?

 

[RedArmy]

How did you get the car to AutoZone in the first place?

 

[Toastedlightly]

sounds like battery or wiring isue.

 

[Eli]

Need more info.

 

[compnovice]

Originally posted by: RedArmy
How did you get the car to AutoZone in the first place?

I took out the starter and the battery....

I tried jump starting it but it didn't work... Jumpstart did work 2 days back when I had the same problem...

 

[compnovice]

Originally posted by: Eli
Need more info.

updated!!

any other info that might be useful?

 

[Soccerman06]

Well how long are the lights coming on, if they just flash on and off you got a bad wire or battery or somethin along those lines. If it somewhat turns over, but it needs a decent effort to do it, it could be the injectors being seriously clogged, or the starter might not be workin properly.

For the wiring part, its all about trial and error, have fun with all those wires.

 

[compnovice]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Well how long are the lights coming on, if they just flash on and off you got a bad wire or battery or somethin along those lines. If it somewhat turns over, but it needs a decent effort to do it, it could be the injectors being seriously clogged, or the starter might not be workin properly.

For the wiring part, its all about trial and error, have fun with all those wires.

If I keep the key in the "ON" position the dashboard lights remain lighted. However as soon as I turn the key to "START" position they go out. Needless to say the car does not start (and there is absolutely no cranking)..

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: compnovice

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Well how long are the lights coming on, if they just flash on and off you got a bad wire or battery or somethin along those lines. If it somewhat turns over, but it needs a decent effort to do it, it could be the injectors being seriously clogged, or the starter might not be workin properly.

For the wiring part, its all about trial and error, have fun with all those wires.

If I keep the key in the "ON" position the dashboard lights remain lighted. However as soon as I turn the key to "START" position they go out. Needless to say the car does not start (and there is absolutely no cranking)..

you might have a short in your starting system.

It could even just be your swich, pull the plastic housing off your steering column and check that, check your starter relay and your fuel pump relay.

Also, if it's cranking and not starting, you might have a bad fuel pump, or the fuel pump anti-explosion switch might have tripped (in my car it's a little box byt the driver's side trunk hinge, if there is a big shock it shuts the fuel pump down so as to keep the gas in the tank in the event of a crash.

Also, check to see if you are getting spark from your plugs.

 

[lightpants]

You have bad connections at your battery.

Are the cables tight?
Are the connections clean?
If it is not ether of these things it is probably your ground cable connection at the frame of the car.

The connection is enough to carry the load of the lights and minor accessories but when you try to crank the car the amperage draw is too much and the connection fails.

Check you battery connections!!!

Jim

 

[compnovice]

Thanks guys! I will try working on it tomorrow...

 

[compnovice]

Originally posted by: lightpants
You have bad connections at your battery.

Are the cables tight?
Are the connections clean?
If it is not ether of these things it is probably your ground cable connection at the frame of the car.

The connection is enough to carry the load of the lights and minor accessories but when you try to crank the car the amperage draw is too much and the connection fails.

Check you battery connections!!!

Jim

All is well now... The loose battery ends had caused the alternator to fail... replaced both and now the car runs good... just put over 600 miles this weekend..

Thanks guys for your help...

 

[Pepsi90919]

i thought toyotas never break down. fanbois, explain yourselves.

 

[compnovice]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
i thought toyotas never break down. fanbois, explain yourselves.

16 years is a pretty long time
Moreover it was my fault for leaving the battery cables loose...