What is wrong with my car? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Elizle · 06-19-2005, 02:33 AM

This is a two part question...

So I just had my alternator rebuilt 2 days ago and the battery seems to be holding charge, but every 3-5 times I go to start it I will turn the key and the fans will turn on like they normally do(see problem #2) and I turn it to start it and they starter starts to turn and nothing happens and the fans die, the battery is completely dead. I had two different people try to jump my car tonight and nothing(most likely it was the jumper cables, they were crap) finally they guy took the battery out of his truck and hooked it up to my car so i could start it and put it back in his truck. I get home and it starts up again, I am totally confused.

The second problem is they fans are always on when I turn the key to the 'On' possition, I changed my temperature control switch and it still does it. Are my relays bad? Or what is the problem.

BTW my car is a 1988 Corolla SR5 with a 4A-F

Thanks in advance.

toyotaspeed90 · 06-19-2005, 02:37 AM

you probably have a bad battery....

you are showing a good sign..... basically your battery will lose any sort of charge over any period of time. If you can get it started by jumping it (or by swapping batteries) and drive it just fine, then your alternator is NOT the problem. If you drive it, turn it off, then it starts instantly, that's because the battery IS getting a charge, but will lose it quickly.

good sign of a dying battery

Flashmn · 06-19-2005, 03:52 AM

sounds like a bad starter solenoid or starter.

Elizle · 06-19-2005, 03:58 AM

Would the bad starter cause the entire battery to drain? Because everything(lights, cd player everything) quits working.

karazy · 06-19-2005, 04:04 AM

Get the battery checked, it's probably gone.

Pull the the connector off the new sw/. If the fan stops, you got a bad one. If it keeps going, you probably have a bad relay.

Spud · 06-19-2005, 08:40 AM

Id check the battery first as it seems to be near the end of its life. Then Id check the starter and solenoid. With regards to the fans being on when you turn the key, check the temp. control switch. I know it as the "fan switch". I know you said you replaced it but Ive been thru 3 on my old rolla!! Also, check your thermostat....

Elizle · 06-19-2005, 02:58 PM

its definitly not the temp. control switch, i replaced it friday.

***MR2Jedi*** · 06-19-2005, 03:01 PM

battery would be my first bet... check voltage.. may have some dead cells.. that would explain why there is some juice but not lasting...

toyotaspeed90 · 06-19-2005, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashmn

sounds like a bad starter solenoid or starter.

lol, did you actually READ his post?

karazy · 06-19-2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88CorollaSR5

its definitly not the temp. control switch, i replaced it friday.

You wouldn't be the first to get a defective part. It is easy to confirm and can save you alot of grief from chasing a ghost.

toyotaspeed90 · 06-20-2005, 03:55 AM

wait...... after looking again...... MAKE SURE you have a good connection to your battery.... ie, the leads to the battery CANNOT be loose..... this is a problem a lot of toyotas have...... if the positive is just a little loose (even if it has contact) you can lose anything that draws power from the battery..... esp a starter.....

***MR2Jedi*** · 06-20-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotaspeed90

wait...... after looking again...... MAKE SURE you have a good connection to your battery.... ie, the leads to the battery CANNOT be loose..... this is a problem a lot of toyotas have...... if the positive is just a little loose (even if it has contact) you can lose anything that draws power from the battery..... esp a starter.....

^^^
thats funny...I was gonna say that but, I thought that was so obvious that it wasn't neccessary... but after reading this thread some more, it's good that u brought it up

if you know what I mean

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotaspeed90

lol, did you actually READ his post?

toyotaspeed90 · 06-20-2005, 11:58 PM

well, that actually happens a lot.... people will come into my work (this is especially true with older corollas) telling me they need a new battery.... 1/2 the time i turn them away & tell them to tighten the clamps..... i've had many people call me & thank me for saving them from buying a battery

one of my favorite lines that a coworker would use on customers:

"congratulations.... you are the proud owner of a part you do not need"

***MR2Jedi*** · 06-21-2005, 12:19 AM

^^^

Elizle · 06-22-2005, 01:41 AM

I went to napa today and bought a battery(It weighs a shit ton compaired to the old one) and I guess I'll find out if that was the problem, also when I changed it I made sure the clamps were really really tight. I guess I'll see if this fixes it.