Two days ago my 2007 Toyota Avalon stopped starting. As stated above it's a 2007 Toyota Avalon, with 300,000 miles on it, and only recently did it stop working. When I do start it up, all the lights, radio, and electronics seem to work fine, but nothing happens. I do hear a single clicking noise when I start the car up and a quiet whirring noise after the fact. This leads me to believe that the starter has gone out, but I would like some suggestions from people more knowledgable than myself, especially since money is tight around here and I don't want to spend money that I don't need to. Please and thank you.
Might be a bad starter, but have the battery tested before going there. The starter takes much more current than lights and electronics. A bad battery might operate those and still be unable to provide enough current to spin the starter. Same goes for corroded battery terminal or cables, which should also be checked.
The battery is about 5 months old.
Doesn't matter, I've seen defective batteries go bad in that time. You want to eliminate that or a loose or corroded cable as possibilities before spending money on a starter.
I did recently check the connection just a few minutes ago, they were on solid, and the cables didn't look corroded, but I haven't had the battery tested.
Although it's probably OK I'd have the battery tested just to verify it's not defective. Also have your alternator tested if the battery comes up as undercharged. (Problem there of course is if the car won't start the alternator has to be taken out to be tested. If battery tests undercharged, charge it back up and see if the engine will start.)
I did end up getting the battery tested, and it was running fine. Although it was at 72% charge so it may be the alternator. The car did have the alternator replaced a year and some change ago so I wouldn't be surprised if that was the problem. I'll get it charged as well and update you on how it goes.
The battery needs a load test to see if it's still viable. How old is it?
The battery is five months old.
Please see the no start topic in the FAQ. There are numerous videos covering the topic.
Thank you.