Strange startup problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

RedlyneTheory · 04-22-2007, 02:26 PM

Hey guys I have a 2000 Toyota Camry,

So I go out to my car last night, and try to start it, and all the lights flash, and then everything shuts off and there is absolutely no power on any of the lights or anything. I left my head lights on over night from the previous day, so I just figured the battery was dead. My roommate jumped my car, and I drove it for about 20 minutes to a friend’s house. When I got to my friends house, I let my car Idle for about 20 more minutes to see if it would charge the battery up. I went back out, turned it off, then turned the ignition, and the same thing happened where all of the lights in the car flash, then everything shuts off, and there is no power anywhere in the car.

I took the car to AutoZone today, and they checked the battery and the alternator. They said it all checked out good. I turned the car off and on there, and it all worked. I then drove home (about 5 minutes), and when I got home I turned it off and on just to see if it would work, and it did not.

Have any of you guys had this problem? Or know what to do? I don’t know if something is shorting out, or if it is really the battery or alternators problem. I saw on his meter that the alternator was putting out power, but I don’t know about the battery (im just going off of his word).

Thanks!
Drew

nodrogkam · 04-22-2007, 02:49 PM

quick question, approximately how old is the battery you have?

RedlyneTheory · 04-22-2007, 02:50 PM

I bought the car about 2 months ago, so I have no idea. I looked for a date on it, but I did not see one.

nodrogkam · 04-22-2007, 02:54 PM

is there a brand on the battery? The body is mostly white with a black top and perhaps panasonic? If so, that is the oem battery and it needs to be replaced.

Batteries need to be replaced every 6-8 years depending on the quality of the battery cells.

I don't believe you have a short.

Have you been noticing the car cranking slower and slower since you bought it? A sure sign of a dying battery is slower cranks and dash warning lights dimmed or shut off when starting the engine.

when you crank, do you hear clicks or nothing at all?

RedlyneTheory · 04-22-2007, 02:59 PM

Its a exide battery, I faintly remember the guy saying he replaced it within the past few years, but it looks aftermarket. When I turn the ignition, there is nothing at all, the car has no power at all. As far as it cranking slower and slower, I have not noticed anything. I have noticed some white smoke coming out of the exaust on startups some mornings though.

nodrogkam · 04-22-2007, 03:02 PM

well white smoke in the morning could just be steam from condensation built up in the muffler and exust system. most cars that arent driven long distances have that.

well almost all sources point to the battery because you are able to start it up with a jumpstart. if it was the starter, or something else, it wouldnt start no matter what.

RedlyneTheory · 04-22-2007, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the replys man, I guess my plan for now is to charge it up at AutoZone, and then see if it works. In phoenix, batterys dont last as long because of the extreme heat, but I cant remember how much of the life it takes off.

nodrogkam · 04-22-2007, 03:08 PM

charging at autozone wont do any good if the battery doesnt hold a charge. your alternator charges your battery and if that works then...You need a new battery.

The guy who tested your vehicle may have tested it wrong. He needs to test the voltage of the battery while the car is off to see if the voltage gradually drops, and test it while you crank to see if it has the power left in it. I dont doubt that he tested the alternator right because that voltage will stay constant as long as the car is running.

and yes it is HOT in phoenix.

kentarver · 04-23-2007, 05:46 AM

Hello !

I had the same exact symptoms about three months ago .

Went through all of the identical troubleshooting procedures .

My trouble turned out to be a defective Positive (+) Post Connector . The juice was there one minute and gone the next . Intermittent like .

I ended up changing out the (+) Connector and cable and have had no troubles since .

By the Way , the connection was pristine , very clean without any corrosion . Somehow , the continuity between the battery and the car was open and the new connector & cable solved it .

It may be woth looking at in your case .

Sounds Strangely Similiar .

Good Luck !

Ken