1991 Toyota Camry, Mileage 225,000

MARTWEIN

MEMBER
1991 TOYOTA CAMRY

Hey guys. I have a 1991 Toyota Camry with over 225,000 miles. The car is in really good shape. I have put a new motor and transmission in it. Anyway. Recently I was driving and the vehicle just died on me. I was able to get a jump and then about 1/2 mile down the road it died on me again. The first thing I did was remove the alternator and took it to one of the Toyota dealers. The Alt. Was bad. So I purchased a new one from the dealer, so I know that it is a quality unit. After installing it, I noticed the battery was bulging on one side of it. Luckily enough I had a spare battery that I had purchased about a year ago. I put it on the charger for about 2 hours. I put it in the vehicle but to no avail. I jumped it and it ran fine. While driving it I noticed that the lights were a little dim. If I rolled down the window, that made the dash lights go even dimmer. Just about anything I pressed, it did the same thing. If I shut off the vehicle it will not start, I have to jump it. What else am I missing. Does it sound like my battery is junk? Does it sound like maybe I need to invest in a new wiring harness? Please help. I am running out of ideas.

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

What happens when you turn the key and try to start the engine?

If the answer is, "Nothing, " you should check the battery, battery terminals, battery cables and ignition circuit to make sure voltage is reaching the starter. If the battery is low or has corroded terminals or loose cable connections, the starter may not crank because of low voltage. If the solenoid that energizes the starter motor is faulty or has loose electrical connections, it will prevent the starter from cranking, too. A faulty ignition switch, park/neutral safety switch on the transmission linkage, clutch safety switch on the clutch pedal or a wiring problem are other faults that can also prevent a starter from cranking.

Hope this helps-Good Luck