Hi, I have a Toyoto Camry '94. The day before I started to notice my car having problems starting. It would fail the first couple of times but would start eventually if i keep turning the key in the ignition. This morning I woke up and tried to start my car it would not start. So I got it jumpstarted. Then I drove around for 40 minutes and came back home. I turned off the ignition and tried to start the car again it would not start. Thus I had to jump start yet again. This time however, I got it to start, turned off the engine, then started it again normally. It worked. So to me it seems the car is choosing to start or not on a whim because it is not at all consistent. Whenever I start the car the interior light dims telling me that the battery is weak. I guess the problem is that the battery won't charge. Should I replace the battery? What else could be the problem?

Hi, I have a Toyoto Camry '94. The day before I started to notice my car having problems starting. It would fail the first couple of times but would start eventually if i keep turning the key in the ignition. This morning I woke up and tried to start my car it would not start. So I got it jumpstarted. Then I drove around for 40 minutes and came back home. I turned off the ignition and tried to start the car again it would not start. Thus I had to jump start yet again. This time however, I got it to start, turned off the engine, then started it again normally. It worked. So to me it seems the car is choosing to start or not on a whim because it is not at all consistent. Whenever I start the car the interior light dims telling me that the battery is weak. I guess the problem is that the battery won't charge. Should I replace the battery? What else could be the problem?

Bad battery, bad altenator, corrosion on battery posts.

Regards,
JOET/CAMRY

If the battery is 4 or more year old just replace it, otherwise take it somewhere and have it charged then have a load test preformed. This will tell you if the battery is worth keeping. You can buy a charger for $20.

i know it is either a bad alternator or the battery, what im trying to do is figure out which. Now I know if it was a faulty alternator then the car should turn off enventually while running. I was driving around after a jumpstart for about 40 minutes and nothing happened. If it was a bad alternator should the car be able to start fine but then the battery not charge then goes dead again? If it was the battery on the other hand then ur car wouldn't start anyway? How can you tell if it is the battery or the alternator. I know I could jsut go to autozone and have them check it out but I'm also trying to gain knowledge for future reference.

By "not start" do you mean "not crank over" or "not fire up and run" after cranking?

i know it is either a bad alternator or the battery, what im trying to do is figure out which. Now I know if it was a faulty alternator then the car should turn off enventually while running. I was driving around after a jumpstart for about 40 minutes and nothing happened. If it was a bad alternator should the car be able to start fine but then the battery not charge then goes dead again? If it was the battery on the other hand then ur car wouldn't start anyway? How can you tell if it is the battery or the alternator. I know I could jsut go to autozone and have them check it out but I'm also trying to gain knowledge for future reference.

Connect a voltmeter to the battery posts. Start the car. If the voltage at the battery jumps to around 14 vdc, the alternator is supplying a sufficient voltage to charge the battery. Now turn on the A/C and lights. The voltage will fluctuate a bit bit should stabilize within 1 volt of the original voltage. Your voltage regulator is working. Let it run for a while and monitor the voltage. If it ever dips below 12.5 vdc you have a problem.

Once the charging system gets sorted out and you still get just a click (if that's the case) when you turn the key, starter contacts are infamous for wearing and creating the dreaded "click".

"By "not start" do you mean "not crank over" or "not fire up and run" after cranking?" Good question. An answer to DFBonnett's question would help narrow down the problem.

Add a possible loose alternator belt to all the above suggestions.

Also, why not just go to Autozone and have them test the battery and alternator? Learning is important, but if they can do a thorough charging system test for you for free, why not take advantage of that?

Mike

I once had bad brushes on my alternator. The car would start fine but then after it warmed up it would kill my battery.

Sam

Ok, so I had autozone check it out and I also did the disconnecting the negative terminal test. The alternator is fine. Apparently I had a dead battery that is not holding a charge. So I replaced the battery. Now I have another problem. I can start my engine and start going for a while, but when I turn on my headlights,the engine dies. Why is that?

I'd guess you might have a problem with the voltage regulator. Other than that check all your connections for corrosion and security. Might try checking with Autozone and see if they can connect an ignition system analyzer. Or did they do that.

After a re-read, did you disconnect the bat cable with the engine running? I've read that's not a good idea.