Starter works, engine won't start

Grrrr... why does this always happen when it's winter here in Saskatchewan Canada?

Vehicle: 1990 Camry 4cyl - auto

Went to start car and for a few times first in AM, the battery was dead. It was like something was left on as would start the whole day once was going but not after sat overnight in -20*C.

Eventually the last time I jumped it I noticed smoke and a hot spot where the diodes are on the alt.

Now here I have self-doubt (now) if that was because the cables were accidentily backwards. Tho think am pretty careful w/that but hey.....

Anyways, put in new alternator, connected jumpers (for SURE correctly lol) and only open door lite was on on dash. Lights would work if put light switch on but not if just ign. was on. Checked the 80A fuse on pos. batt. connector and sure enough was blown. Replaced and car turns over fine, all engine idiot lites on in dash but won't start. So after checking the 2 easy eng. fuses on dr. kick panel pulled the Black square engine relay from the fusebox next batt. Looking at, has 5 pins, 3 smaller ones in a row and below 2 larger ones. I do not get continuity Between the two big ones or seemingly any comb. of smaller ones EXCEPT the two outside ones. Does anyone smarter than I know if should get continuity betwen the two large blades or in fact that is a legitimate test, or even if that relay may or may not be the prob. Or perhaps the prob. may be otherwise (also?)? Dog knows how much it is to buy one just to try as the 80A fuse on batt. was $15

Got this car from sis w/250K - Km and up to now run like a top or should I say, Toyota, and like it a lot, esp. w/passing the pumps compared to 3/4T-350V8 chev work van lol

Any help would be immensely appreciated and thnx in advance as have frozen my perverbial butt off getting this far, and not to complete job would suck.

cheers

Reply to
flat skunk
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I don't jump start cars any more.

Having typed that, I think car will start and run again.

I would wait until spring to sort it out.

Life is too short to do it in the subzero.

BTW 40 C = 40 F

betcha didnt think I know that

block heater, battery heater, interior heater are all musts.

Don't fight it.

best regards

ps

i used to live > Grrrr... why does this always happen when it's winter here in

Reply to
wp51

Reply to
wp51

If you wired up the battery cables opposite to what they should be you may have fried the computer. About the only way to test this is to install another computer and see if that works. This is expensive. I suggest bringing to the dealer where they may have an extra lying around and will check it.

Reply to
Roger Blake

Pull a plug wire put a plug in it ang ground it and see if it sparks when you crank it..

Reply to
m Ransley

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