Car turns off

Fabian Charlton · 2022-06-15T18:04:21+00:00

Without the battery, the alternator gives about 13.5 volts. To determine that we disconnected the battery and used a multimeter. When I turn on the high beams in the car without the battery connected, the car turns off. If I have it connected without load, the voltage is about 13.8 with load and with battery it's 13.4. So, this is the scenario: I turn on the car using a jumper then disconnect the jumper. If I wait a minute or however long, if I turn on the high beams, the car shuts off. Now I was arguing with my dad trying to explain to him that i know that turning on the hi beams will shut it off because I start to see the lights dim on the dashboard when I flick to turn it on.(and when I actually do turn it on, the car shuts off) So in rapid succession I flick the high beams and I un flick it fast enough so that the beams do not fully turn on. But each time I'm seeing the dashboard lights begin to shut down like the car is losing power. To show him that if I let it fully power on, the high beams will shut off the car My dad kept insisting that the high beams shouldn't turn off the car, so while I'm flicking like four times in a row, (each time the dashboard lights are dimming in response to me flicking the high beams slightly) I gave in, and on the five try I let it fully engage the flick and the high beams came on and the car stayed on. I was so confused. So, I turned off the beams then proceeded to turn it on, and the car shut off. And I reproduced it. So, my question is, why does flicking the hi beams ultimately lead to the car not turning off?

2009 TOYOTA CAMRY

80,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.

FABIAN CHARLTON

MEMBER
53 POSTS

I haven't driven it unplugged just yet. I thought about cleaning it I even bought the thing but then when I took it off it looked so clean. Like it wasn't even really dirty. So, I returned the cleaner.

Image (Click to enlarge)

Oct 13, 2022 at 6:57 PM

FABIAN CHARLTON

MEMBER
53 POSTS

So, I unplugged it and the car revved up really high to like 3,000 then just shut off. Then I tried it again and it went up, started to rough idle because it below 600 and I turn it off because it started to vibrate hard.

Oct 14, 2022 at 3:28 PM

FABIAN CHARLTON

MEMBER
53 POSTS

And I disconnected the MAF while the car was on, and the engine shut off.

Oct 14, 2022 at 4:40 PM

FABIAN CHARLTON

MEMBER
53 POSTS

Funny story so I switched the MAF and forgot to plug it in so my cars turn on and shut off I said hmm. That's weird. So, then I tried it again and then it started idling alright. Not like the prior post. So, I cleared the dtc's and tried to start the engine again. It works pretty well. But the CEL still on, I'm like what?. I click clear again and restart and it's still there. I then realized I didn't plug it in LMAO. Cleared it again and it's off. Now I'm about to go through my mils.

Oct 15, 2022 at 2:54 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
110,190 POSTS

Hi,

Thank you for the update. If you have a chance, let me know how things turn out for you.

Take care,

Joe

Oct 15, 2022 at 9:44 PM

FABIAN CHARLTON

MEMBER
53 POSTS

Waiting for the evap mil to clear. Everything else is cleared.

Oct 15, 2022 at 9:45 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
110,190 POSTS

Hi,

I noticed you haven't been in contact for a few days. Have you been able to make any progress? I'm interested in knowing.

Joe

Oct 18, 2022 at 7:35 PM

FABIAN CHARLTON

MEMBER
53 POSTS

Went through the mil, and got a slight leak code for EVAP. I realized I didn't close the gas cap all the way. I'm just waiting a few days to check again.

Oct 18, 2022 at 7:38 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
110,190 POSTS

LOL It happens to the best of us. Take care and let me know how things turn out.

Joe

Oct 19, 2022 at 5:46 PM