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Hi I believe I am having with my battery, but I am more likely to believe that it is something else like the alternator or another electrical issue. I replaced my battery this past summer after it stopped working. The problem revealed itself over about a weeks time. The car was having some trouble turning over and then when stopped at a stop sign, the car just stalled out. It re-started again and I was able to get home, but it would not turn over again, even after being jumped. The battery was at least two years old if not more, which I know is a somewhat normal lifespan.
Anyway flash forward 5 months and my car refuses to start. I put the key in the ignition and not even the dashboard lights come on. I had the car jumped and I made sure to start it everyday (I don't use it everyday) because it has been cold over the last two weeks. I even drove it for more about an hour total on Saturday, turning the car off after 30 minutes and then starting it again after 4 or so hours. I hadn't started it since Saturday and went to try it tonight and it would not turn over. Does this sound like a problem with the alternator or did I just get a bad battery? I know I can get both tested at a Pep Boys or Auto Zone but I was wondering if there was any advice prior to my doing that.
Also does anyone know how difficult it is to replace an alternator on a 2001 Toyota Corolla or how much I could expect to spend at a shop with parts and labor.
I was doing some of my own research it seems like it easily could be the alternator but that it is also possible that I just got a bad battery. I was going to get the battery checked regardless.
After that information about the "newness" of the battery does it seem more likely that it is my alternator?It is a new battery, only about 5 months old.
I was doing some of my own research it seems like it easily could be the alternator but that it is also possible that I just got a bad battery. I was going to get the battery checked regardless.
After that information about the "newness" of the battery does it seem more likely that it is my alternator?
It looks like you have a bad alternator. Even though it "tests OK", there are things in the alt that can go bad, and drain the power out of the battery overnight. Expect to pay about an hours worth of labour to remove and replace the alternator, at your local labor rate. It looks like you have a bad alternator. Even though it "tests OK", there are things in the alt that can go bad, and drain the power out of the battery overnight. Expect to pay about an hours worth of labour to remove and replace the alternator, at your local labor rate.
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I would have the battery checked first. it's free and it'll save you money if thats the problem. you didn't say if it was a new battery or a used one..
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Please double check that the alternator was installed properly. You might just use a few free youtube tutorials for this. If the setup seems ok, then you might want to check whether your battery is still usable. I believe that if a bad alternator stays connected to a battery for more than a day or so it might permanently make that battery malfunction.
You can call your local car repair shop and verify my last statement. If they agree, then unfortunately, you might need to buy another battery. Thank you.
I would be getting the alternator checked out first, faulty relays are not something I have had problems with in the past, so I would go with the alternator, unless your battery is duff, don't forget a battery can be fine the last time you use the car and then it just goes dead. I would suggest you try a charged battery first and check when the engine is running that the ignition lights are all out, if not then change the alternator
There are 3 fuse links in the wiring to your alternator. I'm guessing you already checked to make sure you have constant power to the main cable at the alternator from the battery (I believe it is a black cable with an orange stripe. Using an ohm meter you may want to check to make sure you have continuity from the positive battery terminal to that main wire (Black/orange wire). Now the 3rd fuse link is the one I find that goes and will have you pulling out your hair over unless you know about it. There are a couple different charging systems that came in the Taurus for that year but it won't matter due to the fact that the wire color is the same in each system. The connector/plug at the alternator (3 or 4 wires on it depending on the system) you will want to locate the yellow wire with the white stripe in it. Using your ohm meter you should have continuity from the positive battery terminal to that wire at the connector at the alternator. You should pretty much be at zero on the ohm meter. If not or nothing if that fuse link is blown. That fuse ink is located I believe right on (or close to) the fuse panel inside the engine compartment. There are a few use links there but that one will be the brown one (16 guage I think). I have found this to be common in your vehicle and it sounds like you covered everthhing else. That is a main power wire for the voltage regulator inside the alternator. Just a tip...If this happens to be the problem, I would suggest replacing is with another fuse link and don't bypass/straight wire it. My personal opinion as far as a short in the headlights is that if it were a short there (headlights) you would blow a fuuse for the headlight circuit. Your vehicle's electrical system runs completly off the alternator. The only thing the battery does is start the vehicle. If the alternator isn't working your vehicles electric system uses what's left in the battery. The headlamps kill battery power much faster so it may seem that way. I could be way off but hope this solved the problem.
I suggest taking the battery out and have it tested first. the heat can kill the charge on a battery even though it is only a few tears old. if the battery test good then have the alternator checked.the alternator on your car is on the right side of the car near the rear of the engine compartment.
nancycmixon, When you see this "check your charging system" you need to have the alternator checked. This is the main component for the charging system. A normal alternator will put out 13.6 to 14.6 volts. A few tenths of a volt either way won't mean too much but if they are extremely over or under these values means you have a bad alternator. I believe that your vehicle has a voltage meter in the dashboard and it will usually read in the thirteen to fourteen volts range. As far as your battery losing its charge overnight means that you have another problem and that is you have what is called a parasitic drain. There are a certain amount of parasitic drains already in the car with the radio memory and maybe a clock that constantly displays the time and the antitheft system in the car. These will not drain your battery overnight. You have something else draining your battery that is your problem. Have the alternator checked and mention the battery drain. There is test for this but it is too lengthy to post here. Sorry about that. Good luck with this.
Cant solve your problem, but can tell you we have had lots of dead battery problems and each time Chrysler has said it is a faulty battery and replaced it (4 in 3 years). Seems strange to me that i have never had a faulty battery in any other car. Today our battery came close to exploding, (it was still too hot to touch after 2 hours). RACQ have told us they believe alternator is overcharging and to get it immediatley replaced (or regulator) and not to drive till fixed. They said that if it had exploded it would have taken out front end of car. We were doing 110km along Bruce highway at time. Scarey!!.<br />We are now just out of warranty, so probably have a fight on our hands.<br />Ian.<br /><br />
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i believe there is an issue with the positive battery cable.. cable coming from the battery to starter..alternator gets feed from starter battery post..i have seen this problem before..check battery feed to alternator..if 12v is not at alternator main feed wire(large wire)..it will not charge..you will need positive cable from battery to starter..i hope this helps
check wire connections for short and or loose check for accessories that may be putting a drain on system if good have battery and alternator tested new doesnt mean its not faulty
It is a new battery, only about 5 months old.
I was doing some of my own research it seems like it easily could be the alternator but that it is also possible that I just got a bad battery. I was going to get the battery checked regardless.
After that information about the "newness" of the battery does it seem more likely that it is my alternator?
It looks like you have a bad alternator. Even though it "tests OK", there are things in the alt that can go bad, and drain the power out of the battery overnight. Expect to pay about an hours worth of labour to remove and replace the alternator, at your local labor rate.
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