not able to start problems

[FranHaus]

I recently switched my battery to a optima red top...my old one was just not gettin the job done. Now i had the guy at advance auto parts put it in cause i was in a little rush and needed it quickly. The negative terminal was pretty corroded. He put it on and it started twice after that. I let it sit for a while and then tried starting it and it seemed like it had power and the lights lit up and stuff then it just went dead. So I looked at the terminal on the negative side and tried to tighten it cause it felt a little loose and that worked. But now its hit or miss on it starting. Should I just get all new terminals cause they are pretty old. I am going tomorrow morning and getting all new terminals to see if thats the true problem. Do any of you guys have any info on this. Thanks.

[Mike Gerber]

Get a terminal cleaning brush and clean the terminals yourself. These brushes are a few dollars at most auto parts stores and clean both the temrinals and the battery posts. If that doesn't work, have one of the auto parts stores check the putput of your alternator. Most auot parts stores will do this for free. You could have a bad alternator or a loose alternator belt. If that all checks out OK, you could also have a defective starter. There is a common starter solenoid contact problem with Toyota's Denso starters. Do a search on this forum for "starter contacts" and read up on the problem.

As a side note you will get more answers to your threads if you add information about your car. Year, engine, mileage, maintenance history and any recent work would be helpfull, along with a better description of what is actually happening when it does not start. Is the starter actually cranking over the engine or do you get nothing at all when you turn the key? Do you hear a click or multiple rapid clicks? This is all important.

Mike

[dc_98_cam]

I am guessing that it is the starter solenoid .... these parts carry the full starter motor current load, and are subject to a build up of oxide and corrosion. This defect is internal to the solenoid. Typically, everything will light up, but the car won't start, or will not start reliably. The usual test is to jumper a cable to the actual starter motor terminal, and see if the starter motor spins.

... Also, have your alternator checked out. There is a voltage regulator that is internal to the alternator, that might be causing problems .... possibly related to battery deterioration.