Timing Belt and Electrical/Starting Issues
12-08-2010, 04:01 PM
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Timing Belt and Electrical/Starting Issues
2003 TL-S - 198k miles.
Just had the timing belt replaced at a local garage. When I left everything seemed to work fine. But now after about 5 starts, the car won't start. Well, it did start eventually, but not after it went through some weird electrical stuff. At first, it sounded like the battery was dead (when I turned it over it just clicked) but the battery was and is fine (relatively new) so I know it isnt that. Then, after several more attempts to start it, I got power (dashboard lights on) but then heard all sorts of clicking (electrical) throughout the car (behind dashboard, windows, etc.). Once that settled down, I tried it again and it started.
I am thinking alternator - but I never had any problems prior to the timing belt being changed. Could it be that?
Having never changed a timing belt - I don't know if there are electrical components connected to the belt that if not put back correctly (or something else) would mess up the electrical/starter stuff? BTW, once it starts, it runs fine (which tells me they got the timing correct - i think).
The garage is not near my house (I was visiting someone) otherwise it would be back in a heartbeat. Any thoughts (other than not using that garage again!)? Thanks in advance.
Just had the timing belt replaced at a local garage. When I left everything seemed to work fine. But now after about 5 starts, the car won't start. Well, it did start eventually, but not after it went through some weird electrical stuff. At first, it sounded like the battery was dead (when I turned it over it just clicked) but the battery was and is fine (relatively new) so I know it isnt that. Then, after several more attempts to start it, I got power (dashboard lights on) but then heard all sorts of clicking (electrical) throughout the car (behind dashboard, windows, etc.). Once that settled down, I tried it again and it started.
I am thinking alternator - but I never had any problems prior to the timing belt being changed. Could it be that?
Having never changed a timing belt - I don't know if there are electrical components connected to the belt that if not put back correctly (or something else) would mess up the electrical/starter stuff? BTW, once it starts, it runs fine (which tells me they got the timing correct - i think).
The garage is not near my house (I was visiting someone) otherwise it would be back in a heartbeat. Any thoughts (other than not using that garage again!)? Thanks in advance.
12-16-2010, 04:44 PM
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UPDATE: Got it fixed. Not sure what caused it, but went over every electrical connection and cleaned some corrosion on my battery cables after replacing the battery and it started. Who knows?!
12-31-2010, 12:14 PM
#3
the very best battery cant get thru dirty connections,, and a car with those miles and years may be ready for new battery cables
considering the critical job they perform--20 bucks for a decade of use seems reasonable to replace battery cables now,,
or at least remove and clean all connections--especially ground points..
those are trouble makers on cars of all makes!!
after service, one ground may have been left off or loose= which freaks out the computor
considering the critical job they perform--20 bucks for a decade of use seems reasonable to replace battery cables now,,
or at least remove and clean all connections--especially ground points..
those are trouble makers on cars of all makes!!
after service, one ground may have been left off or loose= which freaks out the computor
12-31-2010, 12:16 PM
#4
note there is more than one ground wire on the car--the big one at the battery and smaller ones from engine to body etc
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