My wife's '99 4 cyl. Camry went off the deep end last night. Engine wouldn't start, lights wouldn't come on, and alarm was going off intermittently. Towed it home.

Battery is good, battery connections are good. Ground to engine is good. I haven't yet checked the engine to chassis ground. Headlights will come on....sometimes. Starter solenoid will click, but no starter turning........sometimes. It is all very intermittent, so I suspect a bad engine to chassis ground.

Is this a common problem, or any ideas of what else I should look for?

 

Common issues would be the battery connections. If only the starter clicked and everything else worked would be the starter solenoid contacts.

The starter motor receives power directly from the battery. The lights, etc have their own cable from the battery. Both share a coming battery ground.

If both have issues then check the battery terminals for corrosion, battery terminal connections at each end plus the terminal connection to the cable.

If you have jumper cables you can use one as a temporary ground strap.

 

Well, after wizzing away a chunk of money and time tonight, I have learned that it is not a problem between the battery posts and car.

New battery terminals, new end connectors for the cables going to the battery. Cleaned chassis ground, with star washers added. New cable from battery to starter. Cleaned engine ground connection.

Nothing has changed or improved.

When I hook up the battery, the alarm starts "trying" to alert. Headlights sometimes work. Cooling fans come on with the ignition, on a cold engine. Nothing happens when key is turned to "start". Jumper cables attached to the battery, from a running vehicle, have no effect. Battery charger goes to trickle very soon after attaching. Battery measures 13.3v.

This is very spooky and mysterious.

Any other ideas?