battery problem...or something else?

[tankpower2]

Lately I've had trouble starting my car. I would hear a click, and then nothing would happen...usually after a few trys it would start up. Now I hear a rapid series of clicks (sounds like the starter relay flipping back and forth). I checked my battery voltage shortly after driving it the last time and it was sitting at 12.35 V. Right now, after testing the solenoid, trying to start it repeatedly, etc. its down to around 11 V. Does it sound like time for a new battery, or could the problem be electrical, and the low state of charge is just a symptom of that problem? The car is a 95 Camry, 5sfe.

Thanks

[camry-4-ever]

Get a new battery!! The battery will show a decient voltage just sitting there. Its called "static voltage". Once a load is put on it, like starting your car, it will drop to about nothin'. Your battery sounds like it is a dead battery. Autozone will test it for free, and sears will test it but don't know if for free.

[ag6286]

its not always about voltage.....its about amps....can ur batt crank out enough of em? the more worn it gets the less it will output....check the water level....fill to wer needed only with distilled water, then recharge. If that doesnt work try jumping it...if it starts right away its 99% most likely ur battery is shot....

what i dont get is why it wouldnt start right away vs. starting a few tries after? only thing that could be really is the starter itself or possible corrosion....clean all surfaces of corrosion and apply pure vaseline or preventative corrosion felt pads

[Gary_602Z]

Don't forget to check your conections at the cables . Also you can do a voltage drop test on the cables. Be sure your battery is fully charged before you have it checked.

Gary

[tankpower2]

corrosion was part of the problem...I cleaned it all up last night and replaced the postitive terminal, but that's when it quit starting period...because I had to clip the existing cable and patch in a new cable I was worried that maybe there was some sort of bizarre resistance mismatch that was keeping the necessary amount of current from getting to the starter

anyway...I just went to Sears, got a new battery and replaced it, and all is well

thanks for the replies

[eyeball96]

Thats it! The battery! Dishonest Mechanics can really put the screws to ya with stuff like this. All the toyotas I've owned always use the batteries till they totally die!

Had my daughters 99 was towed yesterday! Same thing!........Battery was spent!!