Toyota Camry Won’t Start and No Click – Troubleshooting Guide
Toyota Camry owners can often diagnose problems with their cars by the way the car acts when it won’t start. There are a variety of noises, lights, and other clues that can point you in the right mechanical direction.
The most common problem associated with failing to start with no clicking sound is an electrical issue. The engine doesn’t even click to try to turn over. It could be the starter, the battery, or the alternator so you need to read on for more information on why a Toyota Camry won’t start no click.
Before you call a tow truck, try to figure out whether the problem requires a mechanic. Some problems can be fixed in your driveway or with a part from the local auto parts store. A check of some of the basics may keep you out of the garage.
Starter Issues
The start will give off a few clear sounds that let you know it’s an issue. Typically, a starter problem shows itself with the car producing one click. However, sometimes there won’t be a click at all. Sometimes, it will make a grinding sound.
The starter is a small motor powered by a battery. It is responsible for getting the engine running. A lack of power to stay juiced means the starter will turn off quickly and that produces the one-click sound.
There are other ways to know you have a starter issue. These are rather obvious.
You likely don’t have a bad starter if you hear a single click. Starters generally have a 30,000 to 200,000-mile lifespan. A Toyota Camry starter has a solid lifespan of between 100,000 to 150,000 miles.
The problem with a starter is a symptom. The cause is something in the electrical system. The click shows the starter can’t function. Even so, a jumpstart will get your car moving.
You should take the car to a mechanic as soon as possible if this happens because jumping it off doesn’t fix the problem. It will happen again.
Those who hear their start try to start normally but the car doesn’t start could have a problem with the ignition system but that isn’t something you look at first. You must check obvious problems, like the battery, before jumping to conclusions about the ignition.
Battery Issues
The problem may not be with the starter at all but may be something as simple as a battery issue. After all, the battery provides power to the starter. Look on your dash to see if the battery light is on. A lit-up battery light could mean you have a bad battery or a faulty alternator.
Typically, a bad battery will produce a series of rapid clicks when you try to start your vehicle. However, there won’t be any clicks if the bad is deader than a doornail.
A battery tester is a good investment because you can see if your battery is dead. The other option is to jump your car off and drive to an auto store to have them check it.
Alternator Issues
Assuming there isn’t a problem with the starter or the battery, the next part to look at is the alternator. The alternator is what keeps the battery powered and charged. The whole car will die if it fails.
Usually, a failing alternator gives a few more clues than simply causing the car to go completely dead. There’s a decrease in power and some internal lights and accessories won’t work or don’t work as well.
That is a hard and fast rule though. An alternator that has completely failed could cause your car to produce no sound when you try to turn it over. If you put a new battery or a recharged battery in and that doesn’t resolve the problem, then look to the alternator or the starter.
Check the Gas
Making sure you have gas is one of those no-brainer kinds of things but a lack of gas, even if the tank isn’t empty, can cause starting issues. A low tank means that perhaps the gas isn’t making it to the engine, causing the starter to fail.
Is It Condition Related?
Some vehicles have trouble starting in certain conditions whether it’s cold weather, the car has been running and is still warm, or when it’s wet.
A car that won’t start in cold weather could have a fuel-related or starter issue. Fuel expands and contracts based on the temperature and low fuel could be an issue when it’s cold.
Starters, especially in the older Camrys, have more difficulty starting in colder weather.
A car that won’t start after it has been turned on is is already warm could have defective intake air or cooling circuit sensors. These sensors detect temperatures and the wrong data could make your car not start. It could also be a spark plug issue.
Replacing sensors can be a bit complicated so you will need a mechanic to do that. Spark plugs can be changed on your own as long as you have instructions for your model.
Cars that have trouble starting in wet weather or after a car wash could leak into the ignition system. The leak is preventing electrical current from flowing.
You need to first find the leak. Check cables in your ignition distributor. Use a cloth to wipe the leak dry or use a hairdryer to blow it dry. You will need to replace parts affected, possibly including seals, to fix the problem.
The 2021 Toyota Camry vs. 2022
The newer models of Camry’s come with a wealth of features that help you diagnose any problems. This includes intuitive infotainment controls, safety features, and a powerful V6 engine option. It won the US News 2021 Best Midsize Car for the Money. It also was one of those selected in the finals for the best 2021 Best Midsize Car for Families.
The 2022 Camry got some cosmetic changes but is mostly unchanged, especially regarding the mechanics and engine. It has a 4-cylinder, 2.5-liter engine with 203 horses. It still gets good gas miles at 28 in the city and 39 on the highway.
Conclusion
A non-starting car can be a real hassle but it doesn’t have to ruin your day. With a few basic checks, you can determine if you need to replace the battery, add fuel or get it jumped to take your Toyota Camry to a mechanic.
A dead car typically doesn’t mean a major cost of a repair. Most of the things associated with this problem can be fixed for under $500 although a couple of things, like a starter or alternator replacement, may cost more. You can always shop around to see which mechanic has the best prices but most will run about the same.
It is a good practice to keep a check on the voltage running from the alternator and battery yourself by using a device to check the voltage every once in a while, especially if you see the lights dimming or accessories failing. That way, you can stay ahead of any replacements or repairs.
