99 Camry-No Power, won't start, Battery OK

[dslupe]

Last night in the rain, my daughter sat behind the wheel, realized she left the keys in the door, open the door to retrieve keys (dome light was on), upon inserting keys and turning ignition, all power was cut. I came out, tried jumping, no power. No headlights, no dome or dash lights etc.

I checked all fuses on drivers side cabin, and under hood, and all visually looked fine.
I disconnected both battery terminals, cleaned, and reconnected. Opened the door, and inserted the key and noticed I had dashboard lights now. Upon turning key, all power was lost again. Further attempts at dis & reconnecting did not repeat the "reset".

Battery test with meter shows 12.5 volts.

I saw a post that suggested resetting a security switch on the floor of the drivers side, so I pushed, it clicked, but had no effect on current situation.

What could interrupt all power like this? Any thoughts? Would like to get this car back on road for daughter's trip back to college.
dslupe

[carsrus]

Swap batteries, 12.5volts does not mean it is good. It might not be able to take the load the starter puts on it.

[BamZipPow]

Check yer battery connections. Remove, clean, re-install.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by dslupe

I disconnected both battery terminals, cleaned, and reconnected.

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Check yer battery connections. Remove, clean, re-install.

Originally Posted by carsrus

Swap batteries, 12.5volts does not mean it is good. It might not be able to take the load the starter puts on it.

I think the boost battery would have overcome weak load battery. There is something else here with no power to accessories.

Re-check your fusable links which should be indicated in your owner's manual.

[dslupe]

Thanks for posting....I double checked the fuses, I don't know how to check the relays, or if that would yield the symptoms I see. I also cleaned terminals, and put some di-electric grease on them, and attempted another jump-start, to no avail...

[BamZipPow]

Take yer battery in to AutoZone and have it load tested.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by dslupe

I don't know how to check the relays

There is a starter relay but that would not explain no power to other than starter. A relay is just a switch that uses a low current to switch a large(r) current. Sometimes you can switch out relays into other relay slots to test if they work, otherwise you'll need to bench test them.

[dslupe]

Thank you. I seem to remember that the only light that came on after an attempt to dis and then reconnect the battery once was the security light, which then went off when turning the key, and returned to powerless state. Since we just acquired this 99 Camry in October, all we have are the bare metal keys. Do you think there is a security system that is interrupting power?

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by dslupe

Do you think there is a security system that is interrupting power?

I don't think security systems will cancel all power, usually to starter, but others with security systems can better answer that. If it's an aftermarket that was owner installed then anything can happen.

[dslupe]

I took one last look at the battery, for another jump attempt. When I put the positive clamp to the battery, I realized I got a spark from the wire leading into the clamp, but not the clamp itself. On closer inspection, I realized there is a red "plastic" coating on the outside of the clamp, that I mistook for something conductive.

Once I put the jumper onto the positive wire lead, the car started. SO, battery WAS dead, even though it measured 12.5 volts. Car is running now charging the battery, I hope. Need to talk with daughters about any accessories they leave running.

Thanks for all your input!

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by dslupe

Car is running now charging the battery

Dirty terminals will not allow the alternator to charge the battery. I've run into this a number of times. If the battery is several years old you may want to get a load test after it has charged up. If you have a volt meter you can test charging voltage while engine is running - s/b 13.5 - 14.5 v

http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm

[Mike Gerber]

dslupe,

Places like Autozone will test the battery and charging system for free, right on the car. Since the car is now drivable, I suggest taking it there, before sending your daughter back to college.

Mike