I have an 88 Toyota Camry and when the battery runs down due to leaving a map light on, for instance, I can jump the battery with no problem but as soon as the cables are removed, the engine stops. I can take the battery and get it charged and then everything is fine.
One time we got it charged and it worked fine for a few days and then the engine kept wanting to stall. If it stalled, we would have to jump it and it would last awhile. So we took it to the shop and they said it was just loose cables. They checked everything out and it all looked good to them. So they tightened them up and it has been working perfectly for quite awhile now, probably 6 months.
But, whenever it gets drained all the way, as it just did when my son left the overhead light on, I can't just jump it and let the battery charge on its own, I have to take the battery and get it charge.. What could cause this? Would a bad alternator do this? Anything else? When they test the battery they say it is fine.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Kevin