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89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)


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89Camry
New User

Nov 26, 2014, 6:29 PM

Post #1 of 7 (1374 views)
  post locked   89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)  

 Had starter, alt, battery checked. Car starts great but will go completely dead (not even a sound of clicking, etc) when you turn the key after driving for a while. All the lights and key buzzer work but when you turn the key -nothing. It will easily jump and start right up again. Even the next morning.
Thanks, james


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 26, 2014, 6:34 PM

Post #2 of 7 (1367 views)
  post locked   Re: 89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)  

If this can go to ZERO battery, AFTER trying to start but will take a jump that points to a very weak connection of battery cables most likely right at the battery,


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 26, 2014, 6:35 PM)


89Camry
New User

Nov 26, 2014, 7:03 PM

Post #3 of 7 (1348 views)
  post locked   Re: 89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)  

Thank you very much. The first thing I did was clean and tightened the terminals. Could it be a bad battery cable?

In Reply To


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 27, 2014, 12:46 AM

Post #4 of 7 (1330 views)
  post locked   Re: 89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)  

Couple things you could do is test them with a DVOM while it does it vs when it doesn't and would test the battery posts and again at the outside which is the clamp's horseshoe with bolts to tighten. That can either be tight and not really be or cracked OR close by cable right there in trouble.


Reason is that it takes full battery power for starter motor which it seems to lose and when you are jumping you are not really touching the battery posts but rather the clamp on the outside both direct to car and some squeeze to make that tighter or a better connection for that moment.


These cables and ends might respond to just a twist on them with pliers or a wiggle without the cables when down? If those have been replaced with cheap looking ends and a new post those are frequently inadequate or fail quickly generally for temporary use not to stay that way. If so they do make better cable ends to splice in or back to whole new cables if testing proves this out and would if it would stay in poor state while being tested.


Both ends of both cables matter but you said the jumper trick always worked so I'm concentrating on the problem right there as most likely place.


Looking for some pics of bad type ones for long term if they have that type need better.......


Pics may not show or expire>>>>

Pics were there of bad types......


This is critical to be just right and better than anything like that,


T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Nov 27, 2014, 8:24 AM

Post #5 of 7 (1318 views)
  post locked   Re: 89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)  


Quote
It will easily jump and start right up again. Even the next morning.


You should have the battery tested again if it will crank after connecting jumpers to it.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


89Camry
New User

Nov 28, 2014, 3:36 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1291 views)
  post locked   Re: 89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)  

Dear Tom and Discret, want to thank you guys for the help and excellent diagnosis. After all the so call experts checking it I got it home. Kept starting it until the power quit. Pulled the battery, took it to Pep Boys. Battery tested bad and I got a $45 credit because the battery was only 2 yrs old. Didn't realize batteries can be so tricky. So far so good. Now my wife can get back in the car she loves and stay out of my CTS! Thanks again, james
p.s. great forum!!!

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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 28, 2014, 11:10 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1283 views)
  post locked   Re: 89 Camry won't start (sporadic after being driven)  

Glad it's found and fixed up. I'll lock this up as solved now to keep spammer out but YOU can ask to re-open it if you wish by any moderator,


T







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