Starting problems on Toyota Camry?

R

recycle b

New member
I have a 2000 Camry with about 28,000 original miles ( I hate driving).
I only drive about 3 times a week for only a few miles. Since I live in Southern California, any extreme weather is not an issue.

Yesterday, when I attempted to start the car, I turned the key and then I heard the car "start" for about 1/4 to 1/2 a second and then stop.
I tried this 4 or 5 times within a minute and then gave up. The car did not start. At that time I was not happy so I did not do anything else.

I was thinking it might be the battery.

This morning, I opened the car door from about 25 feet away ( so that worked). Then i turned on the lights and that worked and I turned on the radio. Then when I turned the key the car starts right away. TODAY THE CAR STARTS.

I did not have any were to go, so I came back right into my home so I can talk with you guys.

Maybe, this history could be related or not?

I have not had any problems since November 2007. At that time over a period of 2 or 3 weeks, sometimes it took 2 to 5 tries to start the car but the car always started. Then the one day, it took 5 tries I drove the car to my ex-mechanic. He checked over the whole car and said that the only thing he found wrong was my 2 year old battery needs replacing. Of course, my ex-mechanic found a whole list of things wrong that does not relate to starting problems. That is why he is my ex-mechanic.

I then took it back to Pep Boys to buy another Energizer battery (24F600) since I had a 6 year warranty on it. Pep Boys did not test the old battery, they read the mechanics statement that the battery is no good.

What is going on here and have you had similar problems with your Camry?
 
When the engine fails to start, does the engine spin while you are turning the key, or does it just click ?
If it just clicks or does nothing one minute, but then the next time it starts, then it totally sounds Like a poor battery cable connection...
the poor connection could be on the battery itself, or on the opposite end of the batt cables... ( frame (negative) and starter (positive) )
 
Believe it or not there is always a small drain on the battery: The clock, the computer, the security system all use a little juice. It adds up. When the battery doesn't get regular recharges, like driving it, it loses capacity. It sulhpates. It slowly dies. That battery might have lasted 10 years had it been maintained better. Drive the car a couple of times a week, a half hour each time, or take the battery out and put a trickle charge/maintainer on it. Perhaps it would be better to sell the car then rent one when you need to drive somewhere. You will save tons on insurance and registration and , oh yeah, batteries.
 
Believe it or not there is always a small drain on the battery: The clock, the computer, the security system all use a little juice. It adds up. When the battery doesn't get regular recharges, like driving it, it loses capacity. It sulhpates. It slowly dies. That battery might have lasted 10 years had it been maintained better. Drive the car a couple of times a week, a half hour each time, or take the battery out and put a trickle charge/maintainer on it. Perhaps it would be better to sell the car then rent one when you need to drive somewhere. You will save tons on insurance and registration and , oh yeah, batteries.
 
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