xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

i was headed to the post office today, shut the car off, did my thing and then came back, turned the car on and it wouldn't start. the car wouldn't turn over, no cranking and no ticking noise. i heard that it could be the starter issue but i wasn't sure so my friend gave me a jump and it started.

my battery is fairly new as i never really had trouble with it. all lights and radio still worked even though i couldn't start the car. i did realize that before i parked at the post office, the music/audio was going crazy, my front/rear speakers would turn on and off and then my sub would go. what is this a sign of?

not sure if this is an alternator or starter issue.

PK_Celsior

iTrader: (18)

You can go to a local auto store such as auto zone, pep boys, o reily and etc to do a load test on both your battery and alternator. i know both service are for free! If your friend jumped your car and it started right up i doubt its your starter.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

if your sub is cutting out it's an indication the battery or alt is dying.

get the batt/alt tested and make sure the terminals are tight.

AYEmike

okay now that you mentioned your audio acting up before sounds like an alternator issue, can't be the battery if it is new. did you do the alternator test i told you too dood?

FireEMT978

"can't be the battery if it is new"

I just had a 6 month old Diehard Gold battery get a bad cell in it about a month ago. Never say never.

MyRolla

alternator

xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

okay guys.. i just did the alternator test. i turned the car on (it started up fine) and i disconnected the negative battery terminal and the engine still stayed on so my alternator is still fine so this leads me to believe that it's either my starter or battery. a weak battery should be able to crank at least but when it shut off on me, it didn't at all.

i guess i need to change out the solenoid heads on the starter since that is the main wear problem for the ls400's. the starter is such a pita to work with..

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

that's not an alternator test.

get a proper load test done with a tester, or test the voltage from the alternator as described in the manual.

don't ever run your car w/o a battery again, the sensitive electronics don't like the massive voltage fluctuations from not having a battery to buffer against spikes....

xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

yessir. LOL according to gs3mike in his above post, he credited this as the "alternator test". -_-

bees

Could just be bad battery terminals!? Same thing happened to me when I had a corolla. I couldn't get the engine to turn over although all electronics seemed to work when the car was not running. Turns out, there was not enough amperage going to the starter because of the bad terminals. Cheap fix/upgrade, try it out.

Jin3198

If you have a volt meter take a reading from the alty and you'll know for sure. Same thing happened to my car and it turned out to be the alty after testing it. Replaced it and its been fine ever since.

GL!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Or run by an auto parts store and they will test both the battery and alternator for free.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

Listen to the old man (77), that "alternator test" was how we used to test them in the old days, NOT any more. you can damage more than you think.

as PD said: don't ever run your car w/o a battery again, the sensitive electronics don't like the massive voltage fluctuations from not having a battery to buffer against spikes....

friend, that is automotive gospel, if you ever heard it...


.

python

iTrader: (4)

cold weather kills batteries..have ur system checked..alt,starter and battery

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

^ it has been dipping into the 30s here in cali, yeah that's cold for us haha!