Help Request!! '03 Camry engine will not start!?

Question

Hello, I'm a car noob who's car wont start, and am looking for some help over here!

Car Info:
1) 2003 Camry LE
2) 46,000 miles
3) Bought from a used car dealer 2 months ago, absolutely no problems until now.

When I turn the key to my car:
1) Dashboard/front lights all come on, and the car reacts to the remote.
2) I hear the transmission(or the starter), but instead of the engine coming to life, I hear a series of rapid clicks coming from the upper right part of the engine area.
4) Gas was a bit above the 'Empty' mark, and the 'Empty' sign was not flashing.
5) Washed the car a couple of weeks ago, no problem until now.
6) Friend checked the oil, said it was normal.
7) 'Check engine light' comes on.
8) No unusual smell at all, or any smoke.

Last time I drove it.
1) No problems when I drove to work this morning(5 minutes on the highway)
2) Very sunny day.
2) 5 hours later, engine wont start.

So basically, I'm trying to figure out what is causing the weird rapid clicking sounds! Thanks

EDIT: Thanks guys for the great, and extremely quick answers! Found some jump-starting manuals and videos so should be easy to do with a friend whose done it before. I'll probably let the car run, recharge, and if it happens again, change the battery.

And thanks Mr Know, for posting sort of a 'framework' on what information to include when asking this sort of question. Think you posted that as an answer to a different question!

Answer 1

It's your starter or your battery. You have a bad starter or your battery is a little low. It's got enough juice to turn on the lights, but not enough to get the starter to turn the engine over. You can get both tested at any autozone, pep boys, etc for free. The check engine light always comes on when you just insert the key and turn it to on, as well as all the other lights. Get someone to give you a jumpstart. If that doesn't work, get your starter replaced.

Answer 2

if your car has a rapid clicking sound when you turn the key to the start position then there are only three problems that you might try first try to jump start the car remember to put your jumper cables on correctly red on positive and black on negative side then try to start if if starts then you have narrowed it down to a bad battery of a loose connection on the battery or at the starter, which I'm going to jump off a bridge here and say its the battery if it more than 3 years old it a good bet that its gone. the rapid clicking you are hearing it the solenoid no the starter not getting enough voltage to turn over the starter.

Answer 3

if you have a jumper that would work but then don't turn it off until you get to wear you want.

Answer 4

Low battery. Not dead. just low.