Gen4('98 Camry V6)Trouble Shooting Won't Start

[ilovemyapplesduh]

So it was starting every 2-3 turns then 5-6 now not at all. So my thoughts are:

1.) Battery(A/C works, Lights bright, Radio working though) Will kick over if on jumper cables. Cleaned all corrosion the posts and terminals.

2.) Starter(But with my other car it would make clicking noises, with this car nothing more than one click sounding and feeling like it's from there)

3.) Alternator(Friend said maybe but I have no idea how this part works)

Hopefully putting new plugs in tomrrow as it needs them anyways and will keep me busy.

[davemac2]

If it will kick over and start reliably on jumper cables, then I would think it is a weak battery, no? Get your battery load tested at a place like Sears. They can tell you almost right away if the battery is shot. If the battery takes a charge ok and load tests, then it is likely your alternator, a bad/loose connection between alternator and battery, or the auxillary belt driving the alternator is slipping (ie. tensioner) causing the alternator output to be lower than required. Start the car with jumper cables, then remove the cables and measure the battery charge voltage across the battery terminals. It should be around 13.5V or more. Anything less and it is an alternator related issue.

dave mc

[samarai912]

sounds like it could be bad starter tabs. But it can also be a bad ground wire. you should take the battery completely out. remove the the plastic battery box thing( sorry can't remember what its called) that the battery sits on. and from there you can see were the gound wire grounds to the car. there will be two wires coming off the ground side that connects to the battery . one is grounds to the chassis and the grounds to the transmission behind the starter.

[ilovemyapplesduh]

Thanks guys just found out O'Reillys an auto parks store huge in the mid west has a battery/starter/alternator tester for free so wish me luck won't be until Thursday that I can get this done though.

[ilovemyapplesduh]

Think we may be okay had some free time this morning and noticed there was alot of play in the terminals so I bought some post sleeves and re tightened them up and cranking over within 1-5 turns so maybe still the starter tabs but it's running for now and a starter wouldn't be a huge deal thanks guys.