94 Camry - Not Convinced Neutral Safety Switch is problem. Other thoughts?
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94 Camry - Not Convinced Neutral Safety Switch is problem. Other thoughts?
As I have mentioned in a previous post, I have a 1994 Camry that is acting up, so I'm trying to figure out what is going on.
At first I was pretty sure it was the Neutral Safety Switch, as for years it would usually start right up, but often times I would have to wiggle the gear selector (It's an Automatic) or pull it back some to get the car to start. However, it has progressively gotten worse, and now, its finally at the point that no matter how I move it or put pressure or whatnot, it will not start.
All of the symptoms seemed to point to the NSS, but the car is failing to start in any gear position, including P or N. From my reading, I am under the impression that usually if is the NSS, at least one of the positions will let it start, but since I am having no luck getting it to start at all, I'm wondering if it's something else.
I am having full power when I turn the key, so I'm sure it's not something with the battery or alternator. I have perused a couple of posts about maybe the starter or starter solenoid or relay switch, but I was hoping someone could help me try to narrow down what is going on.
Any thoughts on what it may be or how I can diagnose the problem would be greatly appreciated!
At first I was pretty sure it was the Neutral Safety Switch, as for years it would usually start right up, but often times I would have to wiggle the gear selector (It's an Automatic) or pull it back some to get the car to start. However, it has progressively gotten worse, and now, its finally at the point that no matter how I move it or put pressure or whatnot, it will not start.
All of the symptoms seemed to point to the NSS, but the car is failing to start in any gear position, including P or N. From my reading, I am under the impression that usually if is the NSS, at least one of the positions will let it start, but since I am having no luck getting it to start at all, I'm wondering if it's something else.
I am having full power when I turn the key, so I'm sure it's not something with the battery or alternator. I have perused a couple of posts about maybe the starter or starter solenoid or relay switch, but I was hoping someone could help me try to narrow down what is going on.
Any thoughts on what it may be or how I can diagnose the problem would be greatly appreciated!
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: PTW
Does the engine turn over but not start?
Or when you turn the ign key to Start nothing happens?
It is not uncommon for the starter solenoid contacts to wear and cause intermittent starting problems.
The starter solenoid is engaged by 12V from the ign key circuit. If you find the starter solenoid there will be one small wire going to it, this is the source for the 12V. You can unplug this wire and apply 12V to the now exposed terminal on the solenoid. If the engine now turns over there is a problem with the Neutral/Park switch, ign key or a relay between the ign key and solenoid.
If the engine does not turn over the issue could be the solenoid contacts or battery terminals/cables that supply the power to the starter motor.
The Autozone website may have a wiring diagram to help you.
Or when you turn the ign key to Start nothing happens?
It is not uncommon for the starter solenoid contacts to wear and cause intermittent starting problems.
The starter solenoid is engaged by 12V from the ign key circuit. If you find the starter solenoid there will be one small wire going to it, this is the source for the 12V. You can unplug this wire and apply 12V to the now exposed terminal on the solenoid. If the engine now turns over there is a problem with the Neutral/Park switch, ign key or a relay between the ign key and solenoid.
If the engine does not turn over the issue could be the solenoid contacts or battery terminals/cables that supply the power to the starter motor.
The Autozone website may have a wiring diagram to help you.
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Hey Joey - Thanks for that info. Yeah, it's not doing anything when I try to turn the key. I got in there last night and tapped on the NSS some and then it eventually started up, but what that mean, I'm not sure.
I haven't had a chance to really look into it and try all of the solutions, but I will try to do so this weekend. Question about 'hotwiring' it though...What type of wire do I need to do to make the jump? Is it as simple as removing the existing connections from the solenoid and battery, then making the jump?
Thanks!
I haven't had a chance to really look into it and try all of the solutions, but I will try to do so this weekend. Question about 'hotwiring' it though...What type of wire do I need to do to make the jump? Is it as simple as removing the existing connections from the solenoid and battery, then making the jump?
Thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,179
From: PTW
Try the Autozone website for a wiring diagram. An internet search will also return hits describing basic starter circuits (they are all about the same).
A defective NSS switch can result in the engine not turning over. The same thing can happen with defective solenoid electrical contacts.
The starter solenoid is bolted to the starter motor making the two parts look as one. The solenoid has a large red cable attached to it that runs directly to the battery. Also running to it is a much smaller (12-14 gauge wire) Black/Red wire. This wire applies 12V to the solenoid when the ign key is turn to start and the NSS switch is working OK and is in the Park or Neutral position.
Remove the small 12V wire from the solenoid, the connecting terminal on the wire should pull off the one on the solenoid. Using the short section of wire, jump this terminal to the larger terminal having the Red battery cable.
Key in mind the large red wire and terminal it runs to comes directly from the battery, don't short this wire.terminal to ground by accident.
If the engine now turns over the issue is most likely the NSS switch. If it does on the problem is most likely in the starter solenoid.
A defective NSS switch can result in the engine not turning over. The same thing can happen with defective solenoid electrical contacts.
The starter solenoid is bolted to the starter motor making the two parts look as one. The solenoid has a large red cable attached to it that runs directly to the battery. Also running to it is a much smaller (12-14 gauge wire) Black/Red wire. This wire applies 12V to the solenoid when the ign key is turn to start and the NSS switch is working OK and is in the Park or Neutral position.
Remove the small 12V wire from the solenoid, the connecting terminal on the wire should pull off the one on the solenoid. Using the short section of wire, jump this terminal to the larger terminal having the Red battery cable.
Key in mind the large red wire and terminal it runs to comes directly from the battery, don't short this wire.terminal to ground by accident.
If the engine now turns over the issue is most likely the NSS switch. If it does on the problem is most likely in the starter solenoid.
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Alright, I went out this morning to try to at least move the car to somewhere I could work on it, and when I went to turn it on, it seemed like it at least tried to start this time, but there was a different problem...When I turned the key I heard a lot of clicking -- fast paced clicking sounding like the rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun or something.
What is going on now? Any help would be very much appreciated.
Cheers,
zack
What is going on now? Any help would be very much appreciated.
Cheers,
zack
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