Car would not start, when I put the key in it had power but when I tried to turn it over it went black. I looked at the glass eye on the battery and it said it was ok! I jumped started and it started right up, I am thinking it is the battery and not the alternator because this car is a 04 but only has 12,500 miles. Any Ideas would be appreciated.


Thx



John

 

Sounds like the battery to me. The indicator on the battery just means the acid is good but I think that only measures the cell it's in. I suggest taking it to an auto parts place and they can put it on aload tester and tell you positively if it's the battery.

 

Thanks Chadfo! I am on my way.....



John

 

that happen to me a buch......fix-i wasnt putting in the cluch ALL THE WAY DOWN.....wow im dumb

 

The problem you are having is due to a dying battery. Your alternator is not responsible for providing the voltage to start your motor, only the battery can do that. It might be a good idea to take your battery to the local parts store and have it tested.
The battery window does not always show when you have a dying cell in the battery. It could actually show "good", but the battery may not have enough juice to start the car.

 

Thanks also UV7.

 

It was the battery! Now I have no radio, AC, guages etc. HELP!!!!!!!



John

 

um, get a new one?

 

It should be under warranty.

 

Probably a completely dead cell. I ha that to happen in my Explorer some time back. It started perfectly fine until I backed out of the garage one day and an hour later the dome light wouldn't even burn. I was thinking fuse but it was the battery.

 

The original battery was toast! 7.5 volts. I went this am to Napa and bought a new battery, the car drives fine but I do not have gauges, radio, AC. I checked the fuses and they seem to be fine. Help!!!! The new battery holds a good charge of ovewr 13 volts. Is there something I am missing?



John

 

I'm just taking a stab in the dark because I don't remember what's where but did you check the fuse box in the engine bay too?

 

yep!

 

There are two places under the hood for fuses. First is the obvious fuse box. Second is the box that is connected to the battery post. If you take that red cover off, there are a couple of fuse links under it that turn down behind the battery. There should also be a couple of wires coming out if it that supply power to different things. Check and make sure nothing came unplugged or damaged when you unhooked and removed the original battery. There's a good chance your problem could be there.

 

crex149, I am pretty sure you are on ther right track! The fuses in the normal places are ok! I will check the fuses on the positive side of the battery cable.

 

There is a jump starting procedure on page 151 of the Owners Manual - can jump starting do any harm if connections are not made in exactly the order given?

 

Well the dealer just called and said they needed the car for another day! It seems the tech thinks that I crossed the battery when I installed it, NO WAY! I think they just ran out of time and need an extra day to check it out. Hopefully it will be the fuse on the positive cable which I was unable to check.


John

 

good luck!

 

Well. the car will be ready tomorrow! I guess the dealer thinks I blew the main fusible link, of course it cost $95.00 to diagnose, $100.00 labor and $15.00 in parts. He really thinks that I put the battery in backwards, I don't think so! Well at least they detailed it.


John

 

They kept your car for two days to diagnose and replace a fuse? Then charged you $210? Ouch. I'm in the wrong line of work. Thought there was good money in building Toyotas... should be repairing them instead. If they give you a detailed description of what they did on the bill, would you mind posting it? I would like to know what they say.