1998 Camry Wont Start

[fuzzer]

my mom left me her old camry so i could learn to drive, but i didnt start until recently

when i began trying to drive it it wouldnt start

when i turn the key i just get a lot of clicking noises

if someone jumps my car i can start

my friend says my Battery is ok because it has a charge, and features such as auto lock and radio work, he also tried the spark test, connecting one side of a cable to the Battery and making sparks with the other

he also checked other aspects of my car such as transmission fluid

he said i had way to much and it was a nasty brown color, later i found out from my mom that she never changed the transmission, only added more

please tell me what's wrong with my car, or what might be wrong, and how i can fix it, and also an idea how much such repairs may cost

thanks

[D3ZzZ]

Try lookin at the brush within the alternator, unscrew the plastic component... and you should see this long brush. If its pretty short, remove the compnonent from the cable and replace. Thats what happened with me in my camry (same year, same model) and yeah...no problems since. but beofre that, it just wouldnt start at all, even with perfect Battery, engine..etc. But yeah apologies... if it doesnt solve the problem.

[bluesky-uk]

Sounds like a starter motor problem. The clicking noise will most probably be the solenoid on the starter throwing across. I would suspect that you have got a dirty commutator on the starter. I would suggest overhauling the unit. D3ZzZ, the alternator is used to charge the Battery, not start the engine. I would advise against "spark test" on batteries as i have seen them explode before when people have done the same. Makes a real mess too!!!!!!!!! Hope it helps.