2000Toyota Camry LE

You might consider starting the diagnosis with checking Fluid Levels. Does the engine oil look clean? Do you smell any gasoline on the engine dip stick? Feel the oil on the dip stick with your fingers....does it feel gritty? Next...are you indicating the engine CRANKS OVER normally....but...will not fire up? Or....does the engine crank making an unusual noise?

The oil was just changed and is clear, at the top of the mark. Brake oil is full but dark, I'll check radiator tomorrow. Transmission fluid I'd nice red and topped off. When it was jumped it made a horrible noise like something rattling around. Now it just gets to start like any engine but won't kick over for the varoom. It just goes nuyh, nuyh, nuyh, nuyh, nuyh. No I don't smell gas and no grit. What else. Should I bang on that starter?!

Banging on the starter is fine as long as you smack it in the right place. Stay clear of any wires or cables. I'm still not sure if this engine is cranking properly....or...whether there is a internal problem. How many miles on this vehicle....you might have trashed the TIMING BELT. I would be inclined to remove spark plus....Timing Cover....and take a Compression Test and inspect the Timing Belt. What Engine is in this vehicle....4 or 6 cylinder?

There's 225+ on the engine. The BAR of California just fixed it Dec 2014 so it would pass smog Dec 14. It had an oil leak, I had the oil changed them the light came on again after 3 days, I put to much oil in and my friend drained out a quart. Now it's at proper level. There was an alligator clip with a red wire attached to the starter wire and wrapped aroond the pos battery cable. It would start thr car when touched to the pos battery terminal. The car was stolen for 4 mon. It is a 4 cylinder LE. It was drivinn great all of 2015 then after oil change at a shop, this happened I was driving back to the shop because the oil light came back on and it died in the middle of the road. I had doadside assistance try and jump me. It made a weird noise ( after I put too much oil in) but I got 2 blocks amd it dies Then I got towed. Drained the oil, got new battery, got new fuel filter and removed the clip. But now it won't start. The battery is trying but it won't Varoom and kick over so I can drive it. That's the story! Before this it was running smooth and fabulous for a year that I got it back from the being stolen.

OK...interesting history on this vehicle. Without being there to wittiness what happens when you attempt to start this vehicle I would be inclined to "put here back to where she was " before all this trouble started. Seems...the only thing that is left undone is to put back that "alligator clip with the red wire" back where it was. The "oil light came back on"...is not a good sign....that means LOW oil pressure. Engine damage usually follows. I think you are going to have to make a $$$$ decision. How much more $$$ do you want to put into a vehicle this old and with this mileage.

I guess I will sellthe Toyota. I have a 1993 Gep Tracker that still runs. So I will sell the Toyota. Can't get much if it won't run! Any suggestions?

Understood. Although it would be nice to know what the hell happened. Perhaps you could convince a near by mechanic to take a look after hours for a nominal$$$$. Good Luck.

So it acted like it wanted to start. Don't have the original Toyota key, (computer chip, right?) So I'll put it in start, tap the starter, tape up that starter wire that had the gator clip on it. I'll have it towed to my friend DJ in Fair Oaks, sober mechanic, and have him diagnose it. Then go from there. I'll check the spark plugs, cheap fix. If it is the engines gone, I can take the battery back, and junk it or offer it on Craig's list to someone who can work on it, buy a new engine, check for Toyota recalls and do my best to keep Cecilia ( her name.) Cause she rides so smooth when she goes and after a year of driving her, and no problems...I found a screwdriver under my neighbors car door, they didn't like me, maybe someone just undid a wire. Will a diagnostic test tell me that?!

You're ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! It would be nice to know what the hell happened!?!? I drove it on the freeway and she's up and gone when passing, she's smooth as silk. Maybe a prank from my X...I'm going to check it out. Does the computer reset itself after a few days, minutes, hours? It really wants to kick over. It is recharging, not losing power, so that at least is comforting. Where can I get a good Toyota engine cheap IF I need one. The gas was a little dirty in the old filter, not dark just a little brown.

I can't seem to get the spark plug wires out. Any tips on pulling them out of the socket without breaking something?

Removing spark plug wire from the spark plugs requires a twist of the spark plug boot and then a pull. There is a neat little tool which looks like a pair of pliers which accomplishes this maneuver nicely. Should be available at the Auto parts store. While your out there buying tools...you might as well pick up a cheap Digital Volt Ohm Meter. Wal-Mart has them for about $15.00 Also...you might consider a Spark Tester.

Thank you, I'll try that next.

It has a place to plug in the Diagnostic's, is the where I plug in the Ohm meter? I'm ready to start trying to find the problem again. Being a 63 yr old grandmother, taught to work on my car at age 15 by my brothers, I just hate the idea of sending her to the graveyard til I've exhausted all possibilities. I've heard OT in Roseville is a great mechanic too. Maybe I'll turn it over to him. I'll check those plugs. One cap was left off by the last friend to help me! Some pro! LOL. I appreciate your help!

"Diagnostics"......if you are referring to a connector under the left side of the dash.....that is a connector used to plug in a special tool called a Scan Tool. I continue to be concerned about this "horrible noise" you hear when you attempt to start the engine. Removing the spark plugs and performing a compression test is a viable next step. If the engine will not crank properly...then you need to use a Volt/Ohm meter for diagnosis.

Yes, I was referring to the connector on the left side under the hood. The noise I heard was like a metal marble rattling in a can. A fellow that stopped to help me dropped my 10mm down in the car body. I figured it would drop out. Will my Chilton show me how to use this Volt/Ohm meter? I no longer hear the noise when it tries to turn over. When the oil light came on and it died I tried to put oil in it and put 1qt to much but drained it out. My mechanic told me I had an oil leak so watch the oil. I thought the car died because the oil drained out. Now the oil is clear n clean and staying at top notch. I'll get the meter and try it, then if its on the low side, I need plugs?

The connector under the HOOD is indeed a diagnostic connector...but you need a special Toyota Adapter to gain access to Computer info. If your engine cranks over with a good battery...one would next check for Spark and Fuel delivery. Since we have a history of NOISE...engine STALL with no restart....OIL LEAKS...and high mileage.....one would start checking BASICS. Timing belt inspection and a compression test.