2003 Camry Wont Start - No Click - Tapping Solenoid While Key Being Turned Starts Though Options

[shalon]

Went to airport to drop family. Car wont start on the return, car was parked in shade (parking deck).

* called AAA
* AAA guy was trying to jump start the battery but asked if it is doing click-click-click or one-click etc.
* There is no-click when the key is turned on to start the car
* He got a metal rod and tapped the top of solenoid (small cylinder) attached to starter while I was told to turn the key as he was tapping it
* Car started fine and I drove few miles to get home

* Myself and my friend are doing the same to crank up the car. He looked at Autozone and the starter kit was $190+. I am not sure if I need to get the whole kit or just the a) starter solenoid and or b) starter relay.

Just tapping on the small cylinder with a metal rod seems to crank up the car. please advise ?

[Littlebookworm]

You may have some dirt in the starter solenoid which is preventing it from working properly or the selonoid may be defective internally. Get a service manual so you can see how to pull the strarter. Disconnect the battery before you try to pull it. On the bench/floor, test the starter. If the selonoid sticks, that's your problem. You can try to disassemble it and clean it, and then re-try it, or you can simply replace the selonoid. Good luck. Hy