2003 Toyota Camry no crank no start

Asked by Johnathan Dec 07, 2019 at 08:08 PM about the 2003 Toyota Camry XLE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

About two weeks ago my starter started to make
funny noises so I knew it was gonna need replacing
soon. One day went to start it and nothing so I just
replaced the starter with a remanufactured Wilson
starter from pep boys. It was great for about three
days! No problems at all. Then one day after work I
went to turn the key and nothing. Thought maybe I
put the key in to fast for whatever reason so I tried
to start it again and it started! And for a few days it
would take me 2-5 key turns before my starter
would turn over. Now it will start but it just takes
way too many key turns to start and I don’t wanna
break anything else. Checked the battery cables for
corrosion and made sure all the connections on the
starter were also tight and secure. Checked the
ground wire that attaches to my car for corrosion
and it looked fine brushed it down with a wire brush
anyways. Still nothing. Took my starter back to pep
boys to be tested and it passed twice but I heard
from a co worker these tests aren’t %100 accurate.
Tried starting in neutral and tried wriggling the key
slightly in the ignition while I tried to start and still
nothing. Checked the relay and it looks good but
also heard if it was a fuse I would get nothing not
even sometimes a start. All I hear is a click then
some faint buzzing. Not sure what it is but really
need my car back. Any ideas? Maybe the starter is
bad? The last couple of times it has started it
sounds like the engine barely wants to turn over but
the before then it sounded great when I got it start
up. My car has just over 300k miles.

1 Answer

70

It's your ignition switch. Not where the key goes that just turns the cylinder and a rod activates the switch mounted on the steering column. Take the plastic kick panel off. they can be kinda tricky to replace proper adjustment needs to be set and what not. There's little room and the factory makes it somewhat difficult for the obvious. THEFT.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Reelin68
    Reputation
    34,750
  • #2
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    19,760
  • #3
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    5,720
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
56 Great Deals out of 991 listings starting at $2,000
Used Toyota Corolla
146 Great Deals out of 2,444 listings starting at $3,900
Used Honda Civic
200 Great Deals out of 4,053 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota RAV4
96 Great Deals out of 2,713 listings starting at $2,500
Used Lexus IS
19 Great Deals out of 320 listings starting at $6,500
Used Toyota Avalon
6 Great Deals out of 32 listings starting at $4,388
Used Lexus ES
18 Great Deals out of 186 listings starting at $3,990
Used Toyota Tacoma
45 Great Deals out of 1,079 listings starting at $9,399
Used Honda CR-V
88 Great Deals out of 4,543 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota Highlander
31 Great Deals out of 784 listings starting at $6,500
Used Toyota 4Runner
15 Great Deals out of 301 listings starting at $9,995
Used Nissan Altima
32 Great Deals out of 759 listings starting at $1,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.