So I got this well discussed on the toyota forums topic -
interminentelly the car just does not start - just a click and nothing else.
Several tries - it statrts. Happens more when sit for a while.
One known fix is the contacts inside the starter.
Any experience with this problem? Battery is new and good.
Thans!

I had this. fixed it by getting a starter motor from a wreckers for a quarter of the price that everyone wanted to charge to fix or replace. Been going strong for two years now

yea this is definatly a starter problem....its a pretty easy fix...in and out! good luck!

starter contacts are worn out. get a toyota remanufactured.

starter.

So, I did more tests.
In the morning, it briefly turns - then dies.
Several tries - starts ok. Then immediately
after turning off- only humming - like sound.
Try again -restars instantly. Again - the sound.
It is not quite clicking, though - more like "mmmmmm".
All interminent. Any ideas? Still the starter?
Thanks!

the same thing happened in my moms Camry....im pretty sure it is the starter......but i was also thinking you could be having a problem with your distributor cap? but starter is definatly option number one for me!

do you have any scrapyards? you could probably pull a cheap one?

Well, replecement contact kits from toyota cost about $20 both - one per side.
and could save even more by getting contacts only - did inot want to wait.
Took two hours altogether, starter removal and back included. So far so good -
works. Watch - the starter cover bolts are NOT fillips and are 7mm!!! -
hoe many of you have 7mm sockets or wrenches?

Wow, Ironic, I am having the same problem with my celica.
It just started happening a few weeks ago, I let my car sit for about 4 days, and instead of my faithful car just starting up as normal I turned the key and it just clicked to the on position.
Today I had to take my key out, and try again, just the click, and again and again about 10 times, until it did start, the car has no problems remaining on, just the start portion...
I took it to autozone to make sure it wasn't the battery and sure enough the battery is fine... I am going to see tomorrow about the start and see where I can go from here... thx guys ;-)

I am 100% sure that it's your starter guys. That is the only part I had to replace on my Celica so far. Your starter motor is locked up when you hear the clicking. Be careful not to hold the key into the start position for too long, the starter is pulling a LOT of amperage when its locked up an can drain or kill your battery that way.

I bought a warrantied used starter off eBay for $50 shipped and installation was $100 from my local mechanic.

what i used to do with my crx (after my starter died and before the weekend came, when i was able to go get a new starter) was have a friend bang on the starter with a stick and rubber mallet while i sat in the car and turned the key. worked like a charm for a couple of days. problem was, i couldn't go anywhere by myself. hah.

good luck fixing your problem

peace

I had this happen to my old eclipse.. its deffinatly ur starter... i used to tap it with a wrench so it would grab when the starter spun. go to a junk yard and pull one for cheap... or if worst comes to worse... buy one new for like 150

Yep, its in the shop today... I deff do not have the time to do it myself and being stuck somewhere bymyself is NOT an option... it shouldn't too much.. and I hope its JUST the starter and not more stuff as well...

Ok, now the worst thing ever that can happen when you take something in...

The stinkin car wont replicate the problem... MY car only wont start when its sitting in my garage, it sat for two days, waiting for the starter to act up and then what do you know?? no problem.. So we go pick it up
and sure enough, give it a crank and doesnt start this morning, how annoying...

And the worst part, since there is no problem, they wont fix it.

Just tell them to replace the starter. As long as it clicks only ONCE when turning the key, it needs starter contacts. If they wont do it, go to another shop.