Camry (1991) - starter won't turn if weather is very cold

Weak or dead battery?

---MIKE---

I doubt it...more likely bad contacts in the starter relay or poor high current connections in the start ciircuit (battery posts etc)

Old cold weather trick! Turn your headlights on for about 2 minutes, then try starting it.

Tried this but not for two minutes -maybe 30 secs because I was scared that whatever juice was left would get drained. I will try the full two next time.

Battery checked ok as did the alternator.

---MIKE---

Ok...it's looking more and more like bad high current contacts inside the starter relay...look at where that big ~half inch wire connects to the starter relay (beside the small wire that you cleaned). The big wire comes directly from the positive post on the battery, they're usually connected to the starter relay by a big nut...and directly across the relay usually has another big nut on a terminal which leads inside the starter body. A good way to check whether the problem is the relay contacts or a bad connection elsewhere in the high current path is to get one of those 'test lights' (12 volt bulb on test leads) and connect it 'across' those two big nut terminals (one wire of the tester to each nut - or you can use a voltmeter if you wish).

Now try a few engine starts...notice whether the light 'lights' only when you hear the click (and the engine doesn't crank). That will prove that the relay contacts are bad.

OOPS, sorry...the light should STAY LIT (if the contacts are bad when you try)

(Didn't proof read it - my bad)

Thanks. I will try that.

The car's been behaving itself ever since I threatened it with the junk yard.

The weather's cold enough - It's been -14 without the windchill.

(I actually called. Highest offer on the phone: $80).