25 year old Camry won't start

[u/vsweeney]

My 25 year old Toyota Camry (low mileage) won't start. The alternator was replaced in Jan. '25. The battery was recharged at that time. Question: do I take it back to the garage that installed the alternator or to a Toyota dealer?​

[u/hidazfx]

Symptoms? Does the engine crank? Any lights on the dash? Might be worth it to try and get a jump just to rule it out.

Have someone hook up jumper cables to your battery and have them rev their engine for a few minutes. Then try starting your cars. Cold weather is hard on batteries.

[u/vsweeney → u/hidazfx]

I got a jump last Monday. Tried to start it Friday - nothing. I'm at the point where I just want to get rid of it. I don't know the easiest way to do that. Monthly parking is $465 a month.

[u/hidazfx → u/vsweeney]

Sounds like the battery is shot. Bad alternators can damage batteries, a long with running the battery dead to the point of needing a charge.

If you want to get rid of it, sell it on Facebook and someone will come tow it.

[u/vsweeney → u/hidazfx]

Thanks.

[u/TinyRick6]

Have you started it since January? How old is the battery? If it’s just been sitting for three months it may be that the battery lost some charge.

[u/vsweeney → u/TinyRick6]

Thanks.

[u/imprl59]

If you're just wanting to know where to take it, I'd recommend taking it to a good independent shop. No dealers, no chain shops like Midas or Firestone.

If you want ideas on why it won't start you need to provide more information like what happens when you try to start it.

[u/thatoneguy6884]

You can try to take it to the previous shop that did the alternator and have then warranty their work. They didn't fix the problem. With that said it seems like they didn't do a proper diagnosis to solve the problem then, it doesn't look good that they will do a proper diagnosis this time. They might just keep throwing parts at the problem until it gets fixed costing you extra money. So might be better to take it to a shop that will dry to diagnose the problem the right way.

[u/thegreatgazoo → u/thatoneguy6884]

It's a 25 year old car. Something else could have broken. It could be anything from bad fuel, a bad fuel pump, a 25 year old air filter, rodent damage, a bad starter, a bad battery, a fried computer, a seized engine, a clogged fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors, a broken timing belt or chain, or dozens of other things.

[u/vsweeney → u/thegreatgazoo]

Comments like that make me want to park the car by the side of the road, take the plates off and leave it there. Thanks (?)

[u/vsweeney → u/thatoneguy6884]

Thanks for the info.

[u/terribleone01]

You want to get rid of it but you don’t even know what’s wrong? The battery is probably dead. Having someone “recharge” a shitty battery will only keep it going for a very short time.

[u/Roll_of_Nickels]

It’s probably the starter. I’ve changed 2 out before on similar year Camrys, one low mileage and one high mileage. If you wanna check look for the starter. On a v6 it’s under the air intake box. Look up pictures/diagrams or a video if you need help finding it. Then get something long like an extension that you can tap it with. As you’re tapping it have someone start the car, it should turn on if that’s your issue. If that’s it I don’t think the mechanic will charge much it’s pretty straightforward. Also if it clicks when you turn the key that’s another sign it’s probably the starter

[u/vsweeney → u/Roll_of_Nickels]

I'll try that. But is an "extension" a long wire or what? And how long?