Starter solenoid fix - '93 Camry 4 cyl.

[evsisson]

My '93 Camry (125,000 miles) starter motor and solenoid are contained in the same housing. Over the past few weeks my starter motor wouldn't run until after several key turns on cooler days, but it would run fine on warmer days. I get clicking from the starter and 12V to the solenoid. Today I pulled the plunger out and cleaned up the contacts with fine sandpaper, and now I get clicking but no motor, no matter how often I turn the key.

Is the starter gear bottoming out because the contacts have been eaten away? If so, could I cut or grind off the end of the plunger to restore the contact? Or could the plunger spring be compressing against itself?

Ed

[evsisson]

:D Well, I answered my question. I saw that my original post had several views, but no replies, so I thought I'd make your visits worth your while.

After a healthy period of frustration and worry, I decided to take the starter moter/solonoid assembly off the crankcase and clean the housing surfaces that make contact. I sanded the the surface around the opening to the flywheel gear and the surface around the starter pinion and then bolted the starter back on the engine. Well, it started so decisively that it startled me, and it hasn't given me a bit of trouble since. The weather's been warmer, but since we've had a few cool nights with absolutely no difficulty in starting, I'm confident the problem's been licked.

Ed