2005 Toyota Corolla S won't start - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

kathic30 · 07-13-2011, 10:44 AM

My corolla wouldn't start this morning, it just makes a clicking sound. The radio won't work either and the clock light is very dim. Wondering if it's battery or alternator or starter problem. Haven't tried jumping it yet as I had to get to work.

nitronate33 · 07-13-2011, 10:59 AM

most likely it is your battery. it's a pretty easy test.

if you can jump the car it is obviously not the starter. hook up a multimeter on DC volts, battery should read about 12.5-12.8 volts with the car off. with the car running, the battery voltage should jump about a volt or so, somewhere around 14 volts. if the voltage doesn't jump, the alternator is probably bad. if all the numbers look good, you probably have a battery load issue and it can't supply enough current to turn over the starter.

of course, it is possible that something is actually draining the battery and it just died by sitting there overnight. either you left something on or something else is causing it to drain.

in any case, take it over to autozone or advanced auto or any local auto parts store and they will quickly and for free come out and test everything and get your battery replaced if necessary.

**AutoPartsWAY** · 07-13-2011, 11:23 AM

If you hear a clicking sound its most likely the battery. How old is the battery?

kathic30 · 07-13-2011, 01:01 PM

Actually, the battery is still the original from when I bought it.

kathic30 · 07-13-2011, 06:56 PM

Ok, so I got the battery replaced, because the jump start worked, but now the alternator isn't apparently, it's pulling from the new battery. Question is, boyfriend is a mechanic but lives 185 miles away. Should I get the alternator fixed before I make the drive or replace it and spend a crap load of money before I go. What do ya'll think? Car is currently running, but apparently just on battery power, it registered at 12.9 amps off and on with headlights on and AC on. Alt registered at low output <30 amp when they double checked, they said, alternator wasn't registering at all on voltage, just the new battery.

**AutoPartsWAY** · 07-13-2011, 06:59 PM

Would you be doing the replacement yourself?

You can get an alternator for about $100

2005 Toyota Corolla Alternator

kathic30 · 07-13-2011, 07:14 PM

Well, I wouldn't mind trying, only problem is I'm not sure I would be strong enough to loosen screws, etc. I don't have proper tools.

nitronate33 · 07-14-2011, 11:12 AM

replacing an alternator is not complicated but it takes a little muscle, know-how and a few tools to get the job done. you need a good socket set and a breaker bar to loosen the belt using the tensioner. i believe the tensioner requires a 19mm socket. everything is metric, not sure what size bolt or bolts the alternator is held on by.

**AutoPartsWAY** · 07-14-2011, 11:28 AM

For this kind of thing, if you never did it before yourself and and not sure how to do it, is to watch and do it with someone that did it before. That's the best learning experience.