DW took out 98 Camry for an oil change at Midas. I normally do this, but she's getting paid, so I went along for the ride. We had them check the starter issues I've had over the past 2 weeks, single click when trying to start the car (this went aways after cleaning and lubing battery posts) and then this past weekend, the starter kept starting after the engine started and even after turning off the ignition and removing the key. This last issue I had to remove the negative cable from the battery and then I found on the internet, by hitting the starter with a hammer or wrench a few times would stop this. The common belief is a solenoid that's "stuck" in the on position. This is the one and only time this has happened. The mechanic recommended I replace the battery, ignition switch and the starter. This is even after I mentioned I had the starter bench tested at Advance Auto last night and it passed. To my surprise, they even gave me a battery analysis stating my 1.5 yr old battery from Sears was bad. I was given a printout for 12.8 volts and only 74 cold cranking amps (supposed to be 525 CCA). I was told to bring it back since it's under warranty, and this is what I did. Sears told me these places lie about the results and he hooked up a battery meter in front of me. The readings came out to 12.8v and 568 CCA! Turns out the Sears guy was right on the money.
I was also told by Midas that my car needs the front wheeling bearing replaced since it was a little loose, my power steering fluid needed to be power flushed since it was a little low (I never heard of this before) and my air filter needed replacing. I'm not sure if any of the work they recommended is to be believed. Of course, since my DW was doing a job, I couldn't ask for any more repairs and certainly wouldn't after the snow job I just got today!
I just can't believe they recommended replacing the entire charging system (shotgun approach?) just because my starter solenoid locked up in the on position! Since this problem hasn't reoccurred yet, I drive around with my socket wrench and a rubber mallet available in case I need to whack the starter back into place. I can get a remanufactured starter off ebay for around $50 if I really needed to, instead of the $250 ($350 incl labor) unit Midas was offering and they don't even know the brand of the remanufactured unit.
I used to work in an auto dealer in my teens, so I know to stay out of repair shops as much as possible.
Anyone out there have any ideas, similiar experiences about the starter problem I'm having?
I was also told by Midas that my car needs the front wheeling bearing replaced since it was a little loose, my power steering fluid needed to be power flushed since it was a little low (I never heard of this before) and my air filter needed replacing. I'm not sure if any of the work they recommended is to be believed. Of course, since my DW was doing a job, I couldn't ask for any more repairs and certainly wouldn't after the snow job I just got today!
I just can't believe they recommended replacing the entire charging system (shotgun approach?) just because my starter solenoid locked up in the on position! Since this problem hasn't reoccurred yet, I drive around with my socket wrench and a rubber mallet available in case I need to whack the starter back into place. I can get a remanufactured starter off ebay for around $50 if I really needed to, instead of the $250 ($350 incl labor) unit Midas was offering and they don't even know the brand of the remanufactured unit.
I used to work in an auto dealer in my teens, so I know to stay out of repair shops as much as possible.
Anyone out there have any ideas, similiar experiences about the starter problem I'm having?