Love my Camry but she's trying ....

[ssonny]

....to bankrupt me (I'm sure she's in collusion with the cat ).

Hi there

I'm hoping someone can assist me with some advice that will help me sound like I know what I am talking about when I deal with a mechanic. (Although if you read below you would think I should have a good idea by now).

I have a 1993 Twin Cam Exec with approx 178,000km.

Since I bought her 3 years ago - it has had a new (reconditioned) engine. <Blew a hole in the engine block within 12 mths>. I now take her back to the people who installed the engine for servicing. There's a new top on the radiator. New alternator brushes (within the last 18 mths) . New battery (within the last 6 mths) . Other new stuff includes brakes, pads, boots - within the last 2 weeks.

Since the new brakes etc the car has started to sort of 'stutter' at low speeds (forward and reverse). Almost like she's 'clearing her throat' .... and then she's mostly fine. Sometimes she chokes a bit on sudden acceleration.

Just this morning I noticed the red battery light come on .... hard for a few seconds, then it flickered and then it went out.

Any ideas what I might be facing now ???

Thanks

Ssonny

[Wildturkey]

Alternator sounds a bit dodgey to me

[ssonny]

Hi WildTurkey

Urk !! I was hoping not .... especially with new brushes recently.

Do you know how much I might be paying for one , and whether I should go "gen-u-ine" part or take a recon/2nd-hand ?

Do you know how long I might have ? Or is it one of those things that goes all-of-a-sudden ?

[warlock]

i would go recon. on the alt. but your bracks sound like thay need reserficed big time you might need the replace the rotors

[amerikim]

Sounds like you need to talk to your mechanic some more. Battery light indicates iffy charging...alt or wiring issues probably.
That can explain your stuttering engine. When was the last time you had your ignition checked or plugs changed?

If serviced regularly, mech should fix based on what was done and paid for already.

If a mechanic does not fix your problem, find one that will.

[ssonny]

Thanks very much for the quick responses.

Re: servicing /mechanics .... meet one very disillisioned customer (suspect original engine blowout was due to dodgy NON-servicing).

I will ask for the checks as suggested and wait and see if the alternator is bought up.

Can you give me any ballpark indications of the below ?
How does the ignition get 'checked ' ? (My check >> car starts, car doesn't :-D)
How often should sparkplugs be changed ?


Do you think I have time to wait for the next paycheck before I empty the wallet again ?

(Hey Warlock .... apparently the brake disks could not be resurfaced within the legal limit so I got new ones anyhow.)

[amerikim]

ssonny, it may be the voltage regulator, but that should be part of the alternator replacement sinceyou bought a rebuilt. The only other thing I can think of is bad connectivity.
Easy Ignition checks; look at condition of cables, plugs, alternator cap and arm. Remove corrosion and if you don't know when you last changed plugs, pull and look. If not sure, buy a set of platinums or Iridiums and install. I believe they are factory gapped so no need to mess with them. The brands I buy are NGK or Denso only. Best to leave to mechanic but you do have a good car. It's your cat conspiring...wants to get even for that fixing.

[ssonny]

Hi Amerikim

Re: Cat .... LOL
Cat is a 'she' (yeah - 'fixed' years ago). But she just had expensive radiation treatment to keep her going in her old age. She makes marginally more noise than the car.

Re: Car
I'm a bit confused. The engine was replaced. Does that mean that the alternator was too ?

Thanks for the advice .... I keep telling myself she's a "good" car but it is getting harder to believe the more money I throw at it!

[amerikim]

Ahh, I thought the alternator was replaced too, only brushes I see. Well the regulator is part of the alternator. See a mech. Wait till payday if you must be get a full service soon. All fluids including transmission fluids. Don't know what its going to cost but you could have a great running car sooon.