2000 Toyota Camry problem...

[MrToilet]

Just went out to my car today for the 1st time in a week, and I'm thinking I must have left the overhead light on, because there is NO power going through the car right now. It's been working fine, haven't noticed anything weird going on, and I just replaced the battery last winter. Does it just need a jump, or could it be something else? Thanks...

 

[cprince]

It probably just need a jump.

 

[MrToilet]

Update: just tried to jump it - when I attached the cables, the lights turned on, door open bell came on, etc...left the cables on for a couple minutes, tried to start, it clicks, nothing else...

took cables off, no juice. No lights, doors, etc.

I think I just have a dead battery. damn.

 

[desy]

Are the battery posts tight?
If its dead dead a couple minutes won't be enough you could go 10-15 before enough juice is transfered over to jump it

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: MrToilet
Update: just tried to jump it - when I attached the cables, the lights turned on, door open bell came on, etc...left the cables on for a couple minutes, tried to start, it clicks, nothing else...

took cables off, no juice. No lights, doors, etc.

I think I just have a dead battery. damn.

i assume you left the other car running while trying all that.

even with a dead battery you should be able to start it off the other car's electrical system.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: MrToilet
Update: just tried to jump it - when I attached the cables, the lights turned on, door open bell came on, etc...left the cables on for a couple minutes, tried to start, it clicks, nothing else...

took cables off, no juice. No lights, doors, etc.

I think I just have a dead battery. damn.

i assume you left the other car running while trying all that.

even with a dead battery you should be able to start it off the other car's electrical system.

If the battery is really flat, then it can refuse a jump.

He needs to remove his current battery and hook it up to a proper overnight charger. Something like this.

ZV

 

[MrToilet]

Yeah, I'm going to take my battery out and run it over to Autozone or something to have them check it out...

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: MrToilet
run it over to Autozone or something...

Ah, the beginning of a long, agonizing, expensive, time consuming thread.

When your SO has left you, the bank has taken the car back, and your court date (for the assault charge) is coming up, you'll wish...

...that you had just left the jumper cable on for a few more minutes.

 

[sdifox]

Alternator...probably need a new one.

 

[thomsbrain]

First thing: Make sure your battery cables are securely fastened. Sometimes they can get loose, and that would certainly prevent all electrical function when you went to start the car. This happened to me once. Tightened those cables and was back in business.

My next tip: If you already did the following, I apologize, but it sounds an awful lot like you just didn't jump your car properly.

You need to leave the other car turned on, then start your car while the batteries are connected and the other car is still running to provide extra voltage. AFTER your car is running, you can disconnect the batteries. Then you need to leave your car running for a long time before you turn it off again, in order to charge your battery back up.

You can't just connect the two batteries for a while with your car off, then disconnect them, and expect anything to be improved.

You should be aware, though, that your battery may never hold a charge properly again. When they get drained completely, they often don't work right even if you charge them back up.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Alternator...probably need a new one.

Not if it was running fine, parked for a week, and is now completely flat...probably the cold just got to it. Same thing happened to me - I let my car sit all weekend, and the batt was too weak to start the car this morning. I have it on a charger now, but I'm not too optimistic about it. Probably be replacing it this week.

When I worked at Advance Auto, we sold a shit ton of batteries right after the first really cold night...that's when all of the "borderline" batteries that have just been limping along during the warmer months finally shit the bed and need replacement.

 

[vshah]

i had that problem once, with the dead car just "clicking" (but all the electricals working). the problem turned out to be faulty jumper cables. switched to a different pair and it fired right up.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: sdifox
Alternator...probably need a new one.

Not if it was running fine, parked for a week, and is now completely flat...probably the cold just got to it. Same thing happened to me - I let my car sit all weekend, and the batt was too weak to start the car this morning. I have it on a charger now, but I'm not too optimistic about it. Probably be replacing it this week.

When I worked at Advance Auto, we sold a shit ton of batteries right after the first really cold night...that's when all of the "borderline" batteries that have just been limping along during the warmer months finally shit the bed and need replacement.

reading comprehension failed me I thought he said the battery was newish but not charging.

 

[MrToilet]

update: exchanged battery at Costco, put new battery in, all the electric/dash lights came on, door locks worked, car started!!

Woo! Thank God it was nothing more serious!