problems after changing battery in 2007 avalon...?

[swagger_wagon468]

So, my grandmas battery was the original one and had bad corrosion... so I got an Interstate battery and installed it. No the car isn't starting. It will go to the radio on and stuff(pressing ignition twice) but wont start.
I replaced it last week and today was the first time my grandma tried to drive it since.
Is there any particular measures I should have taken when replacing the battery?because I have heard on certain models of the Lexus's that if you disconnect the battery, it will cause the radio not to work or something like that... anyways, any ideas?... I will try to jump start it and check connections tomorrow after work. (6pm)

Thanks.

[Tom in Tacoma]

You mentioned bad corrosion - did you clean the battery cables really well before installing and made sure the terminals are good an tight? If not, clean the inside of the battery terminals with steel wool, a wire brush or sand paper.

And there's always the possibility that the battery had drained while sitting on the shelf. Perhaps it just needs a jump.

[swagger_wagon468]

I cleaned the terminals well. I will check again tho.

And I drove the car home... so I know it wasn't dead.
:/

[robtpren]

I would also think about replacing the cables entirely. They are not too expensive and might solve the problem.

[TrailDust]

Ditto on the replacement of the connectors and cables if they were badly corroded. Also, you might check to make sure you connected the connectors to the proper polarity. It seems an obvious error, but one done more often than you'd think.

[blizprl1]

+1. Check all the cables that are connected directly to battery. Most likely the (-) cable that is connected to car body or/and (+) cables that connects to starter and/or main fuse in the fuse box somewhere in the engine area are corroded as well.

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

You mentioned bad corrosion - did you clean the battery cables really well before installing and made sure the terminals are good an tight? If not, clean the inside of the battery terminals with steel wool, a wire brush or sand paper.

And there's always the possibility that the battery had drained while sitting on the shelf. Perhaps it just needs a jump.

[Mike Murrell]

Pull the battery - take it to any legit battery dealer and ask them to "load test" it.

Places like Auto Zone do this for free.

[swagger_wagon468]

I appriciate all the responses.
I took the terminas off of the battery and found the (+) was so corroded that there were pieces of metal breaking off.

I replaced the terminal and all is good.
I checked the cables and the corrosion acctually didnt spread to them. So i think everything is fine now.

Thanks guys!

[Riick]

Glad it's working now. However, one other thing that might have been a problem (obviously not a problem as it starts, etc) and might be one in the future is the battery on the remote.
If this is the top model with keyless start, may be a good idea to get a new battery for the remote (*and* the spare remote!).

/

[swagger_wagon468]

thanks man. we acctually changed the batteries in both remotes 2 mojnths ago.

[brad_i2001]

Another thing you can check is the water levels. I had to do this one mine, and it seemed to make it crank faster. It took nearly 2 Solo cups full of filtered water for mine. Just my $.02 if this ever happens again or your battery seems to be a little bit lagging.

[TheUltimateBohab]

They make sprays I think NAPA has some and others that are made for cleaning the battery terminals and another for corrosion prevention. I just did mine on my 2005 Avalon and my 97 4runner, I clean the posts really good with the cleaner ( it foams yellow and any spots of corrosion turn the foam red) than after their clean I spray the preventive spray on both terminals which hardens a little over time and works very well! The main reason for buildup on the terminals is not driving the car... my avy had no build up at all but my runner had a small amount.

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateBohab

The main reason for buildup on the terminals is not driving the car... my avy had no build up at all but my runner had a small amount.

I've seen cars driven daily that do the same. The buildup is a result of gassification - escaping gasses - result of a battery that's not sealed that well during construction.

A/C Delco used to make "clean" batteries. A company called East Penn - Deka batteries does as well - IF you buy one of theirs and not the ones they make for WalMart.

[TheUltimateBohab]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

I've seen cars driven daily that do the same. The buildup is a result of gassification - escaping gasses - result of a battery that's not sealed that well during construction.

A/C Delco used to make "clean" batteries. A company called East Penn - Deka batteries does as well - IF you buy one of theirs and not the ones they make for WalMart.

Cool good to know! I thought it was from not driving the car only because everything I’ve seen that had a corrosion problem was cars that don’t ever get driven seems like the cars that don’t sit don’t ever have any buildup.

I think I like the Toyota factory batteries that come with the cars I’m guessing you can buy them from the dealership? I don’t know, but the one that came in my Avalon has an 84 month warranty, which is extremely long! That’s longer than those six cell fancy batteries that are like $300