91 Camry won't start!

[boston_0129]

Hi

I changed the alternator on my 91 4 cyl. a few days ago, and today the car won't start! I changed the alternator because the battery was getting emptied, and I had the alternator/battery/starter tested at the auto parts store, and the only bad thing was the old alternator.

After changing the alternator, the car began having issues- the radio would go off for half a second while driving, and once while driving the car lost all electrical power and I had to pull over. I jiggled all the connections and restarted the car in that case. It hasn't happened since.

Last night the car wouldn't start after work. I had someone come out to jump it and they, on a hunch, decided to turn the key before jumping. Of course it turned over. Today the car is in my driveway refusing to turn over, but the doors make the open door sounds, the seat belt motor cranks but the radio won't come on or anything (the cd changer likes to run after the car fails to start, actually).

What's going on?

[Doctor J]

Before starting turn the lights on; then turn the key to start. If lights dim heavyly the problem is in the charging system .
At any case I would suggest to inspect the fuse box at positive terminal on the battery, the alternator fuse link connections for corrosion build-up
I used to see customers with "bad" rebuild alternators visiting our shop in the past, so check your new alternator!!

[boston_0129]

I ended up having AAA send their battery truck. The + battery cable needed (literally) two more turns of the wrench to be tight enough for good continuity. Leave it to me to do something far more complex like change an alternator and forget something so simple as that! LOL