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Urgent: Car not starting...please help

Car: 1997 Toyota Camry (42,000 miles) The temp today is 10 degrees F. My car did not start after coming back from running some errands. AAA guy came, connected a portable battery to my car battery and it started in a second, on first try. I then turned on the head lights and the car stopped. It wouldn't start again. He restarted it the same way and it worked instantly. This time I drove it 50 yards without any lights and kept it on for 10-15 mins but it still does not start. Note that I do not hear the ignition at all I just hear a click when I try to start it.

Q. What could it be? Just the severe cold weather or battery or alternator? Please help.

Thanks, Jay

Reply to
Jay
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alternator?

Battery connections at battery, starter or ground.

Reply to
Stephen Bigelow

At a minimum, your battery is gone. Go have it checked and check the alternator as well. Plus clean the connections. And make sure you are running a 10W30 or 5W30 oil.

Reply to
L0nD0t.$t0we11

Dirty battery cables.

Reply to
« Paul »

"Jay" wrote

alternator?

I would be checking the alternator output. The fact that turning on the lights killed the engine would be a good indicator that the alternator is not putting out current. Even if you have a dead battery, as soon as you start the vehicle...(and if the alternator is working properly) it should stay running even if you put a load on it (like turning on the lights).

Best to check the alt output, charge the battery and load test it too.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

Sure sounds like alternator problem to me.Honda use to have problems with alt siezing up and losing belt.MIGHT CHECK

Reply to
Buzzbolynne

Thank you all. I got it checked. It was the battery and I bought a new one. Total cost = $85.00

alternator?

Reply to
Jay

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