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Car Battery/Electrical problem

  • 27-02-2013 10:10am
    #1
    elnunobah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 ✭


    Hi,
    Car power died while driving, car turning over now but not starting, battery light and "exclamation" light staying on while car is turning over.
    Toyota Corolla

    Any thoughts on problem?


Comments

  • #2
    ART6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,632 ✭✭✭ART6


    Sounds like the alternator has failed. Could just be a bad connection (earth braids are notorious for that), or it could be a diode failure or just the drive belt slipping. If the battery was fully charged it would allow you to drive for a while without the alternator working, but not for long. If then stopped for a while, the battery might recover a little, enough to turn the engine over slowly but not enough to start it.


  • #3
    aaabbbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭aaabbbb


    I've a similar problem with my yaris :S

    came out of work today and the thing just wouldn't start and the battery light was on. Kinda worried 'cos I really need it to get somewhere important tomorrow evening ! =/

    Anyone think if I headed into a garage first thing in the morning they'd be able to fix it by 5 for me ?!


  • #4
    johnayo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,718 ✭✭✭johnayo


    aaabbbb wrote: »
    I've a similar problem with my yaris :S

    came out of work today and the thing just wouldn't start and the battery light was on. Kinda worried 'cos I really need it to get somewhere important tomorrow evening ! =/

    Anyone think if I headed into a garage first thing in the morning they'd be able to fix it by 5 for me ?!
    When you say that the battery light is on, is it on when the key is not in the ignition switch?
    Or is it on when you switch the ignition on?


  • #5
    aaabbbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭aaabbbb


    johnayo wrote: »
    When you say that the battery light is on, is it on when the key is not in the ignition switch?
    Or is it on when you switch the ignition on?

    It's only on when the key is turned in the ignition.


  • #6
    johnayo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,718 ✭✭✭johnayo


    aaabbbb wrote: »
    It's only on when the key is turned in the ignition.
    Then that is normal. Will only go out when the engine starts. What is happening when you try to start with the key?


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  • #7
    aaabbbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭aaabbbb


    johnayo wrote: »
    Then that is normal. Will only go out when the engine starts. What is happening when you try to start with the key?

    Nothing, like it makes the regular noise as if it was about to start and then just cuts out. :confused:


  • #8
    johnayo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,718 ✭✭✭johnayo


    aaabbbb wrote: »
    Nothing, like it makes the regular noise as if it was about to start and then just cuts out. :confused:

    are you using the key you normally use to start the car? Is there an immobiliser light flashing when the key is switched on(but not trying to start it)?


  • #9
    aaabbbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭aaabbbb


    johnayo wrote: »
    are you using the key you normally use to start the car? Is there an immobiliser light flashing when the key is switched on(but not trying to start it)?

    Its the same key and I didn't notice any immobiliser light.


  • #10
    johnayo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,718 ✭✭✭johnayo


    aaabbbb wrote: »
    Its the same key and I didn't notice any immobiliser light.
    If is turning over normally, then that should rule out the battery, starter motor and battery connections. Is it low on fuel?


  • #11
    aaabbbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭aaabbbb


    johnayo wrote: »
    If is turning over normally, then that should rule out the battery, starter motor and battery connections. Is it low on fuel?

    Not really , I put €25 in it the other day so it's about 2/4 full


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  • #12
    johnayo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,718 ✭✭✭johnayo


    aaabbbb wrote: »
    Not really , I put €25 in it the other day so it's about 2/4 full
    At this stage, without seeing it, I could not say why it does not start. Normally the yaris doesn't give a lot of starting problems other than the battery.
    Do you have AA cover or any other breakdown cover? It will most probably be something small.


  • #13
    aaabbbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭aaabbbb


    johnayo wrote: »
    At this stage, without seeing it, I could not say why it does not start. Normally the yaris doesn't give a lot of starting problems other than the battery.
    Do you have AA cover or any other breakdown cover? It will most probably be something small.

    No AA cover or that but I got a friend to jump start it this morning and got it home. The battery light stayed on while driving though.


  • #14
    ART6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,632 ✭✭✭ART6


    aaabbbb wrote: »
    No AA cover or that but I got a friend to jump start it this morning and got it home. The battery light stayed on while driving though.

    The battery light staying on is telling you that the battery isn't charging from the alternator. It isn't telling you that there's anything wrong with the battery. You need to check the alternator or have someone check it.
    To do it yourself, disconnect the battery first then check the alternator to battery wiring connection on the alternator itself. Make sure that the connections at both ends are clean and grease them with a little Vasalene. Check the copper earth braid at the alternator -- they have been known to corrode away and the alternator will not deliver power without the braid. Also check that the alternator drive belt is intact and tight. If those items check out OK then the alternator needs repairs, and that is not really a DIY job unless your are skilled. If the alternator needs replacing, try to locate a firm that sells service exchange alternators -- they are a lot cheaper than new ones and will have been professionally reconditioned to as new.


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