HELP!!! car won't start! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

rayray · 10-29-2002, 11:33 PM

hey guys... hopefully you guys can help me figure this one out. i have a 1992 Camry LE 4cyl.

i was pulling into my parking stall and just before i get in there my power locks go haywire - open,close,open,close - like it's possesed. my oil light goes on, the emergency brake light goes on and the car dies. i try to start it and the starter goes but it won't turn over.

i push the car into the stall (luckily i wasn't in traffic). and try to start it again. same result. check the oil... levels are good. i'm not the most mechanically inclined but nothing seems out of place.

i decide to let it sit and take my stuff inside. i try to lock the car wth my remote and it won't lock! i try to start it with my starter and it won't even TRY and start! i had to use my keys to lock the door.

any suggestions on what it could be? it's the first breakdown i've had with this car as i do regular maintenance on it. it was due for an oil change this month but that's about it.

HELP!

-rayray

96CamrySt4 · 10-29-2002, 11:50 PM

I dont really have too much experience in this field, but the same thing did happen to me in my old buick.

The result: A broken computer.

Luckily for me, the car was still under warranty and i did not incur and charges for the repair.

Could cost upwards of $1000+ to fix, but again, i am no car mechanic, this is just my opinion from what has happened to me previously

Sorry :oops: :oops: :oops:

PLRBEAR · 10-30-2002, 12:01 AM

Check the battery. It sounds like the alternator died. If you can get your hands on a multitestor, check the battery to see how many volts it's got. 14V+ is about right. If the battery is dead, there's a good chance that the alternator is toast too.

When you crank the engine, the power to the distributor comes from the battery. After the engine starts, the alternator takes over everything from the stereo to the spark that your plugs get. I believe CanTire can check your alternator for you if you can pull it out, otherwise, i'd suggest getting a reliable mechanic to look at it. I always go to Trio Motors down on 5th Ave NE, right next to 5th Ave Autohaus. You want to look for Trevor.

Trio Motors Limited
700 33rd Street Northeast 2, Calgary, AB T2A5N9
(403) 273-7303

rayray · 10-30-2002, 12:03 AM

i don't think it's the battery since all my power locks work and my accessories and headlights function fine.

do you think that it may be the brain of the alarm causing the damage?

-rayray

PLRBEAR · 10-30-2002, 12:09 AM

Well, it is the cheapest thing to look at right now. Having enough power to run door locks, accessories and headlights doesn't mean that the battery is good. If the alternator just went bust, your battery could still have it's reserve power left.

So the power locks work using the control panel switches, but not the remote?

PLRBEAR · 10-30-2002, 12:13 AM

My brother had something similar happen to him in his old Seat Malaga. Driving along the road, when all of a sudden, his electricals start going haywire, and the engine dies. It was a dead alternator.

rayray · 10-30-2002, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLRBEAR

So the power locks work using the control panel switches, but not the remote?

that's right... power locks function fine but not with the remote. i'll have to check out the battery and alternator then. any other suggestions?

thanks for the help btw

-rayray

96CamrySt4 · 10-30-2002, 01:26 AM

if it is your alternator, check www.mralternator.com

they offer high output alternators at great prices... i got mine for my 96 cam for $240.

Nick · 10-30-2002, 10:56 AM

try getting a boost, if it dosen't work its not your battery

if it starts with the boost and dies after a 10-15 minutes of driving, then its your alternator

15 volts out of a battery?? man you should only get that when your alternator is charging it

normal battery is at 13.6 fully charged, anywhere over 10-11 and your car should start

you can bring your alternator to crappy tire and they'll test it for you

but with the locks going all crazy it sounds like some messed up wiring or a computer that smoked a little too much crack

Try getting the codes, if you can just from the car (i don't know) and i've got the same car but with the v6... sad

rayray · 10-30-2002, 11:27 AM

i'm gonna try and unplug the alarm/starter module and see if that makes a difference. my friend had the same problem and removed the brain and it started no problem.

it's the least i can do since i would have to get it towed to a mechanic or get someone to remove the altenator for me.

-rayray

PLRBEAR · 10-30-2002, 11:36 AM

Your alarm/starter should have been installed with an inline fuse near the battery. See if you can remove those fuses instead. That should shutdown the whole security system without resetting the ECU. Just in case there are codes stored in the ECU.

rayray · 10-30-2002, 11:47 AM

my installer said i can unplug 2 plugs on the module and that will be like removing the whole thing altogether. but i'll check for the fuses as well.

-rayray

PLRBEAR · 10-30-2002, 01:09 PM

Let us know how it works out. I hope it's just the alarm. :-?

***Phi*** · 10-30-2002, 01:41 PM

Ray, before you start ripping your alarm out, get the the charging system checked out first. Do a load test on the battery and alternator. Chain stores like Crappy Tire will do this free of charge.

rayray · 10-30-2002, 02:17 PM

well... i just unplugged the alarm CPU from the car... it was pretty easy... just a couple of plugs. just had to contort my body under the dash. wasn't pretty.

result: when i start the car the locks don't go open/close anymore but it still doesn't turn over and start.

i'll need to get the battery and altenator checked. i have a feeling it's the altenator. i can take the battery out no prob. but i've never dealt with the altenator before. is it an easy job to pull out?

-rayray