My 1990 Camry: Named her Rita, shoulda called her Christine

[katrinad]

So I have somehow ended up with the "family car". My little Camry has been driven by all the grand kids in the family and will die with me. *knock on wood that its later rather than sooner*. when i got the car i named her Rita because my name is Katrina and we have since been dubed the hurricanes by friends, family, and local law inforcement. She has had some quasi-possed moments, but today she had one that was right out of the movie Christine. I live in arkansas, it's hot, and I despise the AC so I usually drive with my windows down. But today it was raining like mad crazy. and my windows were fogging up, so I turn the Defogger thingie on. I'm have my whippers going, the fan blowin' at high and am rockin' out to my radio. I'm sitting at a red light and all of the sudden the car turns off. I turn the key, nothing from the engine, the lights came on so I flipped the hazards on. A young man was about to help me move the car to the side of the road when I turned the key and bam! it came on. My clock and radio were not showing the right times and I had to reset the channels. From start the finish the ordeal lasted all of a min and a half. Thing is, I have no idea what the hell caused it!!! Any ideas? I know it's something I'm going to need to have looked at, but it's the first time it's ever happened. but it's also the first time it's ever rained this bad so I'm pretty sure that had something to do with it. Any who...any thoughts are welcomed!

[ycartf]

For your clock and radio to have reset themselves, you most definitely lost connection to the battery. I would clean both battery terminals and reinstall them tight and clean with a light coat of vaseline on them to prevent corrosion. Also maybe have the battery tested if you have a place that does it free nearby since a bad connection also keeps current from going INTO the battery and keeping it charged well. You have a great car - take care of her!

[ghettosled]

i think the battery briefly lost connection as well. this happened to me about a month ago.

[marc780]

the other people have the right idea - clean the battery terminal clamps nice and shiny, and check them for tightness. If the clamps are loose, shim them with a thin piece of metal so they are tight.
i would check the battery and alternator condition too. If the battery is the kind that takes water, pry off the covers with a screwdriver and check for the "bubble", if the water is low add some distilled water.
Also you need to know how old is the battery? If its been more than 3 years it may be due for a change; have the battery checked for voltage and use a hydrometer (these are dirt cheap at walmart, like $2, and simple to use) to check for dead cells. If you find any, maybe its time to change the battery.

Also i'd check the alternator for voltage at least. You can check it easily yourself, with a volt ommeter (walmart again) and a cheap one will cost you about $5 - 10. Start the engine and let it idle for 3 minutes. Turn off all the accesories - lights, radio, air blower motor, everything. Put the probes of your new VOM on the battery posts now and you should read at least 14.0 volts. (Acceptable range is 13.9 v to 15 volts).

If voltage is low, shut off engine and check for a loose belt. If belt is fine, and voltage is low, you might want to remove the alternator and have it tested before you change it.