87 Camry 5 speed won't start

[hardyrxp]

Hello to all I have a 87 Camry 5 speed that won't start. When you go to start the car (after pushing the clutch pedal down) the car is cut off immediately when you try to start it. Then after that nothing has power or works e.g. the dome light and power, radio everything does not work. Something I think is tripping a relay but which one and why? I need help here as I am at a loss. I don’t know what could cause one of the fuse relays to trip please advise me. I can tell you what is not the problem very quickly to narrow it down. New starter, battery, alternator, and clutch safety engage switch for when you push the petal in.
Dave

 

[jsnyder49090]

Who did the work on the car? I would check the battery cables the ground first off, look for corrosion or loose connections. Do you have a battery charger hook it up and see what it does with it hooked up.

 

[hardyrxp]

Thanks for responding back I did already check the battery cables for corrosion and their connections they look good. However I will check again because something is not right here. Please note that when all the power goes out I can hear a noise quickly before it goes out I think I hear a relay kicking in or something not sure? After that no power then power comes back on after some seconds I will try to time it I think its around 30 - 45 seconds so again with that time frame that is why I think its a relay but what is tripping/causing the relay to come one I don't know.

 

[jsnyder49090]

could be many things like i said hook the charger up to it so you know you have power and go from there it could be your switch possibly

 

[NHGUY]

Sounds like a bad clamp at the battery.Small draws ok,but put a big demand on it and the connection fails.Those tin battery clamps can rust/corrode pretty badly.

 

[hardyrxp]

What do you mean it could be your switch please explain? You mean the ignition switch?

 

[hardyrxp]

I checked that already but will recheck it. I think something is blowing the relay beause the power shuts off for like 45 seconds but comes back on.

 

[eljefino]

It's your battery connection already. It arcs and the black spot causes resistance. Take the cable off, run a brush through, then put it back on. And stop staring at it declaring it okay.



^ This battery cleaner could be yours, tonight, for a dollar.

 

[hardyrxp]

Okay will do what you said tomorrow in daylight and report back.
Dave

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
It's your battery connection already. It arcs and the black spot causes resistance. Take the cable off, run a brush through, then put it back on. And stop staring at it declaring it okay.



^ This battery cleaner could be yours, tonight, for a dollar.


I'm agreeing with this. Both my previous cars did this to me a few times. Tightening the battery terminals back on made the problem go away.

 

[jsnyder49090]

Yeah those cars have a funny tin like clamp and its always a Yroblem check all the connections. You have to take some offf and clean with a wire brush or similar.

 

[mechtech2]

1

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
It's your battery connection already. It arcs and the black spot causes resistance. Take the cable off, run a brush through, then put it back on. And stop staring at it declaring it okay.



^ This battery cleaner could be yours, tonight, for a dollar.


An option is to stare at the connection while drinking beer.
Maybe bring a friend.

 

[anonobomber]

I have an 88 Camry and had to replace one of the battery clamps a few years ago because it had stretched out over time and wasn't clamping down well on the battery post anymore.

 

[hardyrxp]

Hello I agree and forgot to check the most simplest of things 1st taking off and cleaning the battery terminal. It was indeed the negative terminal a small gap causing this. I got a terminal cleaner and cleaned it right up and then started fine. Thanks for your help and I guess next time I will check the small stuff 1st.
Dave