How do you replace a starter in 1995 Camry?

Answer 1

SOLENOID/STARTER 2005 Camry

First, I have no clue when it comes to cars. I am not a specialist, mechanic, or car nut. I am a guy that likes to get in the car, put my key in the ignition, start my car, and drive away to some near but distant destination. So with that said this is my story.

While I do state that I am no car guru, what I do possess is the ability to process information, and follow directions (somewhat). Which takes me on this journey...

The week of the issue my car had been giving me signs; slight hesitation when it started once, and then the day of the initial failure I cranked the key twice... I passed it off as I needed an oil change asap, but kept things moving . To my total surprise when attempting to leave the local petsmart my car had other plans.

The lights came on, the radio, the air the windows worked; but guess what!? No car, no engine, no turnover, no grind, no clicks, no sound (except for the radio the was quickly turn off)

Fast forward - jump start ( did it anyway but no need; the power was working and battery was less than six months old) So that didn't help much. Checked my wires, connections, ... didn't see anything out of place. So about 2 hrs in of panic calls, smart phone research, friends good and bad advice and diagnosis; and 15 mins from a AAA Tow my last advice given was to tap the solenoid. "CYLINOID!?!" I had no clue what that was. So I find the (SOLENOID) - the electrical component that signals the starter to crank the flywheel to start the engine... or something like that... And voila my car starts... cancel AAA I'm going home...

Now I know I'm on borrowed time so I took a 2 day internet blog/ manuals/ YouTube crash course in solenoids/ and starters especially after the local car shop quoted $350-$450 possibly for repairs ( broke people improvise) Honestly I just didn't have the funds in the time frame needed, which was RIGHT NOW!

So after my research I find that hey I can just buy a new solenoid for $30-$40. YES! my first reaction; my second being I can't find any stores who just sell the solenoid for a 2005 Camry. Does it come in my model? Or is it because they make more money selling the whole thing that they won't carry the single component? I don't know. All I know is I was on a time crunch, a money crunch, I needed my car to work and I didn't want any more issues. That means the entire starter. Now the STARTER ranges $140- $240 for basic rebuilds I guess then they give you a couple bucks back for your old starter upon return or purchase, like $20 - $40. So I bought mine for $160 and will be returning it for $20. ( Money crunch remember)

Now for the job...

CHANGING THE STARTER ON 2005 CAMRY

All the research I done ( none of it except for my car manual was about my actual car) I just used bits and pieces to get a mental picture and idea of the job at hand... we are talking over 30 different blogs, youtubes, manuals, pictures breakdowns, about starters and verbal advice given. To get me to this point. All or nothing; the worst that at this time I could see happening was that I would have to pay a mechanic to finish the job...

This job in my eyes is all about preperation. Getting all the crap (battery, airtank thingy, cords, connections, arm bar) out of the way just to get to the starter. ( I took pictures!) The only tool that is a must is a torque wrench/socket wrench!!! Because basically your unscrewing and moving everything. Maybe a cloth, screwdriver and hammer... maybe.

Step one make sure the car is off and keys are in your pocket

( just seemed like a good place to keep my keys)

Step two remove the battery

torque wrench /socket wrench ( now i have read remove the positive only , or remove the negative only, then i saw the whole battery pulled) well when they start taking about explosions and danger and so forth i took the whole battery off! positive first, ( it was a litle tight i had to tap it and i needed some baking soda and warm water solution to clean it as i read or coke as i heard- clean and neutralizes corrosion acids-didn't have any...moving along) negative last. I removed the battery brace and pulled it out the car! More room to work in anyway.

step three remove the air intake filter box ( untechnical name but I left my manual in the trunk) Its right above the battery. two bolt screws/ unsnaps/ lift top / remove filter/ three bolt screws in the tank (HOLD IT!) I had some cords/ connectors on the back of that and a hose attached that needed to be loosened with screwdriver, wires unclipped and the some 2 inch wide electrical register connector unsnapped. Now the tank cabin filter can be slid out of the car off the 2nd air tube.

step 4 i had an arm bar in my way blocking easy access to my starter/solenoid ( 2 bolt screws later... poof!)

step 5 disconnect the solenoid positive battery bolt ( screw, hook clamp, nut)

step 5a remove the wire plug from solenoid ( "snap")

step six remove starter

( 2 bolts and wham a shift here and jiggle there pull out and replace)

Now just like everywhere else i have read and as my manual has prescribed reverse really means reverse.

REVERSE

follow the steps "sdrawkcab" (backwards) and your done!

new starter in

solenoid reconnected

arm bar thingy in place

cabin filter on

air intake tightened

cables secured

em electric component snapped in

filter in/ tank closed

battery in/ connected

battery brace on

hood closed

NOW THE TEST

START YOUR ENGINES

mine came right on. I was a little nervous to move it though but it had to be done. Drove around the block like a charm.

But wait!!!

upon slowing down and stopping my car had a silent stall!! it started right back up ( park/ restart/ drive). it drove fine but it happened twice.

So I'm pissed like what now?! and go back into research mode... out of everything i read i came up with 2 things (i was praying for one or the other)

1. my electrical components in my car had to reset after the battery had been disengaged

2. my air intakes/ cabin filter wasn't on tight enough

3. could have been loose wires/ cables/ screws etc

4. would have meant I was just screwed ( in my mind) I made sure everything was tight ( not too tight on the solenoid or you will crack something or so i read)

and it drives fine I was leaning more toward the electrical reset anyway and assumed that's the adjustment my car was making. Drove 20 miles red lights turns and stops... no issue .... so far.

That was the beginning of my weekend.

Happy St. Patricts Day 2011