Dead every time I turn it off

[titanzzy]

My 98 camry froze dead last night. (winnipeg, -30) After my friend and I managed to push it in a heated garage, and hours of waiting to thaw out, we got it jump started.
Everything seems fine until I stoped to get a coffee. the car just went complete silent after i turned the key off. No power at all, I even had to lock my door manually(four of them one by one).
but it started up right away when a stranger gave me a jump(tks him btw)
and drives fine till I stop again.
I just don't undersdand the problem here, ist the battery, the alternator, or connection rod. cuse I tried clean the battery using a little brush, and it didn't work.

desperately need help. thanks

[donbryce]

If you have a multimeter, check the battery voltage. Should be a bit over 12 with the engine off, about 14 with it running. At that temperature, Celcius of course, a weak cell in the battery will cause a dramatic voltage drop. Warming it up will temporarily allow it to recover, but probably not enough to start. A boost will get it going and the alternator will run the engine until you turn it off, then you're back to square 1 again. I think it's time for a new battery.

[touringcamry]

It definitely sounds like the battery because you have no power with the engine off and you need to constantly jump the vehicle.

Originally Posted by donbryce

If you have a multimeter, check the battery voltage. Should be a bit over 12 with the engine off, about 14 with it running. At that temperature, Celcius of course, a weak cell in the battery will cause a dramatic voltage drop. Warming it up will temporarily allow it to recover, but probably not enough to start. A boost will get it going and the alternator will run the engine until you turn it off, then you're back to square 1 again. I think it's time for a new battery.

With the engine running that 14V is coming from the alternator, not the battery since they are parallel sources.

[titanzzy]

thanks, just found out its the cable end and the battery having poor connection. battery might still be ok, but changed it anyway.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by titanzzy

thanks, just found out its the cable end and the battery having poor connection. battery might still be ok, but changed it anyway.

Bring it to kragen, autozone, etc. They will test it for you free.