1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral

Jeff

Thanks for the reply.

So if we forget about the original problem.

The car starts fine, I drive it around. I pull into my driveway and come to
a stop. I put the car in Park and hear a grinding noise in the starter
area.

I move the shifter into Neutral are the grinding noise is there too. I put
it in park and it goes away.

How do the switches that detect if it is in park or neutral contribute to
the grinding while the car is running?

This happened a few times ( not all the time) over the weekend. Yesterday
and today no problem.




"Jeff" <kidsdoc2000.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5yqpi.4249$2c7.3043@trnddc06...
> Tube Audio wrote:
>> Hello
>>
>> My 1987 Automatic Transmission Camry sometimes makes a grinding noise
>> when I start it. If so I just turn the key back and try again. This
>> happens about once a month.
>>
>> This past weekend, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the starter
>> ring gear area when I would put the car in Neutral or Park. This is when
>> I would be coming to a stop and turning the car off. Taking it back to
>> drive the noise went away.
>>
>>
>> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
>> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
>> put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still running.
>> So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>>
>> What I am thinking is that maybe the ignition key / switch is not
>> releasing all the way as it is damaged and the starter is a bit engaged
>> and that is causing the grinding noise when I put it in Neutral or Park
>> while it is running. But why neutral and park?
>
> Automatic transmission cars have a switch that is connected to the
> transmission gear selector. The switch is closed when the gear selector is
> in neutral or park and open in any other gear. This is so that you can't
> start the car accidentally in gear.
>
> It is a normal safety feature that has been on cars and trucks with
> automatic transmission for decades.
>
> Jeff
>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

Tube Audio wrote:
> Jeff
>
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> So if we forget about the original problem.
>
> The car starts fine, I drive it around. I pull into my driveway and come to
> a stop. I put the car in Park and hear a grinding noise in the starter
> area.
>
> I move the shifter into Neutral are the grinding noise is there too. I put
> it in park and it goes away.
>
> How do the switches that detect if it is in park or neutral contribute to
> the grinding while the car is running?

When the shift is in park or neutral the switch is closed. When it is in
gear, it is open. The started shouldn't engage when the switch is in gear.

Regardless of what the problem is, you will be replacing the starter
and/or flywheel if the problem isn't fixed.

The first thing to do is fix the ignition switch, because it is faulty.
If the problem persists, then go from there.

> This happened a few times ( not all the time) over the weekend. Yesterday
> and today no problem.
>
>
>
>
> "Jeff" <kidsdoc2000.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:5yqpi.4249$2c7.3043@trnddc06...
>> Tube Audio wrote:
>>> Hello
>>>
>>> My 1987 Automatic Transmission Camry sometimes makes a grinding noise
>>> when I start it. If so I just turn the key back and try again. This
>>> happens about once a month.
>>>
>>> This past weekend, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the starter
>>> ring gear area when I would put the car in Neutral or Park. This is when
>>> I would be coming to a stop and turning the car off. Taking it back to
>>> drive the noise went away.
>>>
>>>
>>> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
>>> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
>>> put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still running.
>>> So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>>>
>>> What I am thinking is that maybe the ignition key / switch is not
>>> releasing all the way as it is damaged and the starter is a bit engaged
>>> and that is causing the grinding noise when I put it in Neutral or Park
>>> while it is running. But why neutral and park?
>> Automatic transmission cars have a switch that is connected to the
>> transmission gear selector. The switch is closed when the gear selector is
>> in neutral or park and open in any other gear. This is so that you can't
>> start the car accidentally in gear.
>>
>> It is a normal safety feature that has been on cars and trucks with
>> automatic transmission for decades.
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

"Tube Audio" <murphysf.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Tfqpi.53007$5j1.39025@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
> Hello
>
> My 1987 Automatic Transmission Camry sometimes makes a grinding noise when
> I start it. If so I just turn the key back and try again. This happens
> about once a month.
>
> This past weekend, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the starter ring
> gear area when I would put the car in Neutral or Park. This is when I
> would be coming to a stop and turning the car off. Taking it back to drive
> the noise went away.
>
>
> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can put
> in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still running. So the
> lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>
> What I am thinking is that maybe the ignition key / switch is not
> releasing all the way as it is damaged and the starter is a bit engaged
> and that is causing the grinding noise when I put it in Neutral or Park
> while it is running. But why neutral and park?
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks
>
>

Noises are difficult to diagnose without hearing them first-hand. The
people who are giving you advice regarding the park/neutral safety switch
are assuming that the noise is being caused by the starter engaging.. If
that is the case, then the ignition switch is bad and stuck in the start
position. Get it fixed ASAP before you ruin the ring gear and have to
remove the transmission to replace the ring gear.

If the noise is not being caused by the starter engaging, check the motor
and transmission mounts for interference with a moving part like an
accessory drive belt.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

"Jeff" <kidsdoc2000 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Bjspi.5406$2c7.2853@trnddc06...
> Tube Audio wrote:
>> Jeff
>>
>> Thanks for the reply.
>>
>> So if we forget about the original problem.
>>
>> The car starts fine, I drive it around. I pull into my driveway and come
>> to a stop. I put the car in Park and hear a grinding noise in the
>> starter area.
>>
>> I move the shifter into Neutral are the grinding noise is there too. I
>> put it in park and it goes away.
>>
>> How do the switches that detect if it is in park or neutral contribute to
>> the grinding while the car is running?
>
> When the shift is in park or neutral the switch is closed. When it is in
> gear, it is open. The started shouldn't engage when the switch is in gear.
>
> Regardless of what the problem is, you will be replacing the starter
> and/or flywheel if the problem isn't fixed.
>
> The first thing to do is fix the ignition switch, because it is faulty. If
> the problem persists, then go from there.
>

There is an easy work-around here.

Assuming the ignition lock set was mucked up during the theft, and the
problem is just now becoming apparent, then all he has to do is rotate the
key out of the START position when getting ready to park the car.

I'd be putting the Ignition Key on a separate ring so that the 10 pounds of
other keys is not hanging on the Ignition Lock Set, and changing the
position from ON to START.
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:Ke6dnb1Eh9d_KDvbnZ2dnUVZ_gKdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Tube Audio" <murphysf DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:Tfqpi.53007$5j1.39025@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
>> Hello
>>
>> My 1987 Automatic Transmission Camry sometimes makes a grinding noise
>> when I start it. If so I just turn the key back and try again. This
>> happens about once a month.
>>
>> This past weekend, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the starter
>> ring gear area when I would put the car in Neutral or Park. This is when
>> I would be coming to a stop and turning the car off. Taking it back to
>> drive the noise went away.
>>
>>
>> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
>> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
>> put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still running.
>> So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>>
>> What I am thinking is that maybe the ignition key / switch is not
>> releasing all the way as it is damaged and the starter is a bit engaged
>> and that is causing the grinding noise when I put it in Neutral or Park
>> while it is running. But why neutral and park?
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>
> Noises are difficult to diagnose without hearing them first-hand. The
> people who are giving you advice regarding the park/neutral safety switch
> are assuming that the noise is being caused by the starter engaging.. If
> that is the case, then the ignition switch is bad and stuck in the start
> position. Get it fixed ASAP before you ruin the ring gear and have to
> remove the transmission to replace the ring gear.
>
> If the noise is not being caused by the starter engaging, check the motor
> and transmission mounts for interference with a moving part like an
> accessory drive belt.
> --


If the noise is NOT caused by the starter motor engaging, then it would
happen in gear selections other than P and N. Since the noise ONLY happens
in P and N, my money is on the Ignition Switch being stuck in START. I
really think the keys swinging around is moving the ignition switch to START
while the OP is driving the car, but how or when the switch is moving brings
us to the same point at the end of the day.

If am correct, then the OP merely needs to move the switch out of START
before selecting P or N. Of course, other operators of the car may not know
to do this, so repairs to the ignition switch are in order ...

Remember Ray, he told us that the car had been stolen or it was attempted to
be stolen, and the crooks worked the Ignition Switch over with a slide
hammer or equivelent tool.
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr.RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:D8zpi.3737$7w.2041@trnddc05...
>
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:Ke6dnb1Eh9d_KDvbnZ2dnUVZ_gKdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Tube Audio" <murphysf.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:Tfqpi.53007$5j1.39025@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
>>> Hello
>>>
>>> My 1987 Automatic Transmission Camry sometimes makes a grinding noise
>>> when I start it. If so I just turn the key back and try again. This
>>> happens about once a month.
>>>
>>> This past weekend, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the starter
>>> ring gear area when I would put the car in Neutral or Park. This is
>>> when I would be coming to a stop and turning the car off. Taking it back
>>> to drive the noise went away.
>>>
>>>
>>> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
>>> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
>>> put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still running.
>>> So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>>>
>>> What I am thinking is that maybe the ignition key / switch is not
>>> releasing all the way as it is damaged and the starter is a bit engaged
>>> and that is causing the grinding noise when I put it in Neutral or Park
>>> while it is running. But why neutral and park?
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Noises are difficult to diagnose without hearing them first-hand. The
>> people who are giving you advice regarding the park/neutral safety switch
>> are assuming that the noise is being caused by the starter engaging.. If
>> that is the case, then the ignition switch is bad and stuck in the start
>> position. Get it fixed ASAP before you ruin the ring gear and have to
>> remove the transmission to replace the ring gear.
>>
>> If the noise is not being caused by the starter engaging, check the motor
>> and transmission mounts for interference with a moving part like an
>> accessory drive belt.
>> --
>
>
> If the noise is NOT caused by the starter motor engaging, then it would
> happen in gear selections other than P and N.

Not necessarily if a motor or transmisison mount is broken.

Since the noise ONLY happens
> in P and N, my money is on the Ignition Switch being stuck in START. I
> really think the keys swinging around is moving the ignition switch to
> START while the OP is driving the car, but how or when the switch is
> moving brings us to the same point at the end of the day.
>
> If am correct, then the OP merely needs to move the switch out of START
> before selecting P or N. Of course, other operators of the car may not
> know to do this, so repairs to the ignition switch are in order ...
>
> Remember Ray, he told us that the car had been stolen or it was attempted
> to be stolen, and the crooks worked the Ignition Switch over with a slide
> hammer or equivelent tool.
>

I think the ignition switch is a more likely cause of the problem, which is
why I listed it first. When I make suggestions on things to check, I
usually try to list them in the order of likelihood, like the factory manual
does.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:08:19 GMT, "Jeff Strickland"
<crwlr RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote:

>
>"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
>news:Ke6dnb1Eh9d_KDvbnZ2dnUVZ_gKdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Tube Audio" <murphysf RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:Tfqpi.53007$5j1.39025@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
>>> Hello
>>>
>>> My 1987 Automatic Transmission Camry sometimes makes a grinding noise
>>> when I start it. If so I just turn the key back and try again. This
>>> happens about once a month.
>>>
>>> This past weekend, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the starter
>>> ring gear area when I would put the car in Neutral or Park. This is when
>>> I would be coming to a stop and turning the car off. Taking it back to
>>> drive the noise went away.
>>>
>>>
>>> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
>>> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
>>> put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still running.
>>> So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>>>
>>> What I am thinking is that maybe the ignition key / switch is not
>>> releasing all the way as it is damaged and the starter is a bit engaged
>>> and that is causing the grinding noise when I put it in Neutral or Park
>>> while it is running. But why neutral and park?
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Noises are difficult to diagnose without hearing them first-hand. The
>> people who are giving you advice regarding the park/neutral safety switch
>> are assuming that the noise is being caused by the starter engaging.. If
>> that is the case, then the ignition switch is bad and stuck in the start
>> position. Get it fixed ASAP before you ruin the ring gear and have to
>> remove the transmission to replace the ring gear.
>>
>> If the noise is not being caused by the starter engaging, check the motor
>> and transmission mounts for interference with a moving part like an
>> accessory drive belt.
>> --
>
>
>If the noise is NOT caused by the starter motor engaging, then it would
>happen in gear selections other than P and N. Since the noise ONLY happens
>in P and N, my money is on the Ignition Switch being stuck in START. I
>really think the keys swinging around is moving the ignition switch to START
>while the OP is driving the car, but how or when the switch is moving brings
>us to the same point at the end of the day.
>
>If am correct, then the OP merely needs to move the switch out of START
>before selecting P or N. Of course, other operators of the car may not know
>to do this, so repairs to the ignition switch are in order ...
>
>Remember Ray, he told us that the car had been stolen or it was attempted to
>be stolen, and the crooks worked the Ignition Switch over with a slide
>hammer or equivelent tool.
>
>
>
>
>
From the original post....
------------------------------------------------------
About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still
running.
So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Seems to me, it would be a good idea to replace the ignition switch.



--
Scott in Florida

There ought to be one day-- just one--
when there is open season on senators.

Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

"Scott in Florida" <Justtofakeoutliberals DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bmgda3pq5ckju9qctqb45ceifffq8a01lr@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:08:19 GMT, "Jeff Strickland"
> <crwlr DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
>>news:Ke6dnb1Eh9d_KDvbnZ2dnUVZ_gKdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>
>>> "Tube Audio" <murphysf DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:Tfqpi.53007$5j1.39025@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
>>>> Hello
>>>>
>>>> My 1987 Automatic Transmission Camry sometimes makes a grinding noise
>>>> when I start it. If so I just turn the key back and try again. This
>>>> happens about once a month.
>>>>
>>>> This past weekend, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the starter
>>>> ring gear area when I would put the car in Neutral or Park. This is
>>>> when
>>>> I would be coming to a stop and turning the car off. Taking it back to
>>>> drive the noise went away.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
>>>> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
>>>> put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still running.
>>>> So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>>>>
>>>> What I am thinking is that maybe the ignition key / switch is not
>>>> releasing all the way as it is damaged and the starter is a bit engaged
>>>> and that is causing the grinding noise when I put it in Neutral or Park
>>>> while it is running. But why neutral and park?
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Noises are difficult to diagnose without hearing them first-hand. The
>>> people who are giving you advice regarding the park/neutral safety
>>> switch
>>> are assuming that the noise is being caused by the starter engaging..
>>> If
>>> that is the case, then the ignition switch is bad and stuck in the start
>>> position. Get it fixed ASAP before you ruin the ring gear and have to
>>> remove the transmission to replace the ring gear.
>>>
>>> If the noise is not being caused by the starter engaging, check the
>>> motor
>>> and transmission mounts for interference with a moving part like an
>>> accessory drive belt.
>>> --
>>
>>
>>If the noise is NOT caused by the starter motor engaging, then it would
>>happen in gear selections other than P and N. Since the noise ONLY happens
>>in P and N, my money is on the Ignition Switch being stuck in START. I
>>really think the keys swinging around is moving the ignition switch to
>>START
>>while the OP is driving the car, but how or when the switch is moving
>>brings
>>us to the same point at the end of the day.
>>
>>If am correct, then the OP merely needs to move the switch out of START
>>before selecting P or N. Of course, other operators of the car may not
>>know
>>to do this, so repairs to the ignition switch are in order ...
>>
>>Remember Ray, he told us that the car had been stolen or it was attempted
>>to
>>be stolen, and the crooks worked the Ignition Switch over with a slide
>>hammer or equivelent tool.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
> From the original post....
> ------------------------------------------------------
> About a year ago the car was stolen and they jammed the ignition lock
> cylinder. It still works with the key, or pretty much any key you can
> put in it. At times I can remove the key and the car is still
> running.
> So the lock ignition cylinder is obviously damaged.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Seems to me, it would be a good idea to replace the ignition switch.
>
>
>
> --
> Scott in Florida
>
> There ought to be one day-- just one--
> when there is open season on senators.
>
> Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
>

Yup, which is why I listed it first in things to check
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral 

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:aPWdnSAU-oCjWjvbnZ2dnUVZ_uOmnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> I think the ignition switch is a more likely cause of the problem, which
> is why I listed it first. When I make suggestions on things to check, I
> usually try to list them in the order of likelihood, like the factory
> manual does.


I also think the ignition switch is the problem, which is why I only
suggested that possibile trouble spot.

The only bearing the Neutral Safety Switch has on the issue is that the OP
must shift through points where the NSS becomes active when the Ignition
Switch is also set to START.

Fix the ignition switch and the problem will go away.
 >> Stay informed about: 1987 Camry starter noise with car running in park or neutral