91 starting issues - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

eishiba · 12-02-2009, 11:59 AM

My 91 corolla is having its pms. It doesn't start. The battery tested 11.6 with a multimeter. The starter and alternator read 11.6 also. However the car is so dead that the dash lights barely come on at all. I can't even jump the thing. If the terminals were corroded can the alternator and starter still read the same as the battery but not start? What else can i try?

***SCT*** · 12-02-2009, 02:46 PM

... I don't it. You're saying the lights don't come on at all but the battery has 11.6 volts? Or do you mean when you turn the key to START all the lights go off until you release it?

In some cases, corrosion can be to blame... it cause resistance.

89corolla4wd · 12-31-2009, 04:21 AM

11.6 volts means the battery is dead. 12.6 volts=100% charge, 12.4=75%, 12.2=50, and 12.0 and lower usually means its dead fully discharged. Have you fixed the problem yet?

Createdtoburn · 12-31-2009, 04:52 PM

Looks like your alternator is going to shit if it only read 11.6 while running. I would deff clean your battery terminals first, as in take them off and clean them with a wire brush, as well as the battery posts. Then fully charge your battery, or at least jump it to get the car running. Then check what it reads once the car is on, it should be at least 14 volts if your alternator is good. Mine reads 14.4.

But I would start there before you rule out a bad battery.