Electrical problems 99 Camry 4 cyl.

[SaVas]

First off, greetings to all. I am typing this on behalf of my girlfriend who has a 1999 Camry 4cyl.

The car drove fine yesterday, then last night she went to move it off the street, and the car would not start (it has a 6 month old battery in it). I went out to look at it, opened the door, put the key in the ignition, went to crank it, and the interior light and the warning lights on the dash started blinking, and there was a intermittent clicking sound that was on for about 2 seconds, off two seconds, on two seconds, off, etc...you get the idea. It was clicking when the interior light was off, and not clicking when the interior light and dash lights came on. There was no sound of the starter trying to turn over.

Even with the key out of the ignition, the interior light and dash lights would intermittently blink ever couple of seconds, opposite the clicking sound. Matter of fact hey blinked in all key positions as well. I popped the hood to look at the battery, and the alarm started going off. Wiggled the key in the ignition and it stopped. Took the key out and the alarm went off again.

I disconnected the battery so the alarm would not come on again.

I really havent a clue regarding this car. Two weeks ago, she had left her driver's window open during a rain storm for a few minutes. I'm thinking something got wet and it has a corroded contact somewhere, or her ignition switch is bad, maybe the alternator? I dont know much about the Camry so Im guessing where to start.

The car has about 112,000 miles on it and ran like a top until last night. I looked at it today after work, and I did not see anything out of place. Fuses looked OK, timing belt isnt broken, and I put the battery from my car in it, and that didnt help.

Any help would be graciously appreciated.

Thank you

EDIT - BTW car is an automatic standard emissions (not California)

[Kep]

Flashing interior lights are new to me. Haven't heard that one before. Alarm systems do screwy things. I tend to suspect them right off the bat. The flashing lights may be part of its program - don't know.

Even though it's only six months old, I'd check the charge on the battery. Were the battery connections nice and tight and clean when you went to disconnect it? Loose battery connections do odd things as well. Did you try to jump start it? Call and see if any of your local auto parts stores will check your electrical system for free. If you can get the car there they can tell you if it is the battery or altenator. If not you could take the battery in seperately.

Ignition switch is a possibility but the age of the car is so young that it is low on my suspects list.

Kep

[darkwish]

My first guess, is a weak battery. See if it'll jump start.

P.S. Also check your battery connections, loose battery cable, corroded terminals, etc.