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2001 Toyota Corolla

Question: New alternator wont charge new battery, A wiring issue?

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Ignoranceisntbliss, 1.8L 4 Cylinder, Titus, AL, February 10, 2011, 12:52
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 Rookie

About three months ago I had to replace the battery in my car, I went ahead and replaced the alternator too... When I replaced the battery, I saw that the positive battery cables were covered in corrosion. I cleaned it off and made a note to replace the wire connectors soon. All was well for about a month when I saw the battery light come on in the dash. I assumed it was the cable connectors blocking some of the charge and before I could make it to the parts store, the car died while I was driving it. The lights went first, then the wipers (horrible rain that night), and finally the car. So I got the cable connectors, jumped off the car, but still didn't make it 3 miles down the road before it died mid-drive again...

The next day I got the battery checked and re-charged, all was still working well. Then I put it in the car and though the car started and drove, the battery light kept flickering. I just barely made it the 40 miles home before it died again in the driveway. That told me the battery was all the car was running off of. New cable connectors didn't do anything, new battery didn't do anything, so now I'm left to wonder if I got a faulty alternator or if my battery wiring harness needs to be replaced... and thats an $800 part!

Can anyone give me any suggestions on anything else I can try before I fork out all that money?

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  • Medium-star Best Answer
    overbys from Overbys Inc, February 10, 2011, 13:27
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     Master

    suggest getting a shop to check the alternator while it's still in the car. otherwise, you're just guessing
    at what's wrong.

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    Visitor, February 10, 2011, 13:35

    I plan to get the alternator tested as the next step... from the reading I've been doing, I'm hearing a lot about auto zone selling shoddy alternators that weren't properly refurbished... so I'm going to check it and maybe go with another company.

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  • Answer #2

    ZeeTech February 10, 2011, 13:33
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     Master

    I have seen quite few bad alternators and starters - mainly rebuilt ones - right out of the box, so it is possible that you have a failed one. I know you can't drive it long, but I'd get a charging system test to see if the alternator works or not.
    You should get a warranty replacement if it failed.
    I prefer to use new Denso alternator on most asian vehicles, they are the OEM and excellent quality.
    I hope the harness is OK and all you need is another alternator.

    Zee

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    Visitor, February 10, 2011, 13:38

    Thanks Zee, I hope so too... I will post back once I get some more info on it all!

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