Urgent: Car not starting...please help

Jan 11, 2004 7 Replies

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


alternator?

Battery connections at battery, starter or ground.

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.

Dirty battery cables.

"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

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

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

alternator?

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