[Luxirie]

Hello Soompi!
So here's the down low-
I have a 2000 Celica & yesterday, I drove the car to school & it ran normally. When I started my car again to go home, it made this ticking noice but after the second attempt, it started.

Today, my car just didn't budge. Every time I tried to start the engine, the ticking sounds came on. So, I jump started the car & it was okay but it would die again after I turn it off & try to turn it back on.
I also noticed that whenever I come to a stop, the car would drop under 1k RPM, fairly close to the zero mark.

I'm pretty sure I should change the battery, but does the spark plugs play a role in this situation?

[jakex1]

Hello Soompi!
So here's the down low-
I have a 2000 Celica & yesterday, I drove the car to school & it ran normally. When I started my car again to go home, it made this ticking noice but after the second attempt, it started.

Today, my car just didn't budge. Every time I tried to start the engine, the ticking sounds came on. So, I jump started the car & it was okay but it would die again after I turn it off & try to turn it back on.
I also noticed that whenever I come to a stop, the car would drop under 1k RPM, fairly close to the zero mark.

I'm pretty sure I should change the battery, but does the spark plugs play a role in this situation?

replace battery, get alternator checked uout

[MPowerKai]

Check the battery with a battery tester first before you replace it. Check the alternator output with a voltage meter, it should be around 13.5 or higher. Clean out your throttle body also. Check your spark plugs and when the wires were changed if ever for the idling thing

[Luxirie]

Gah. I wish I knew more about cars. Lol

First off, thanks for the advice!
Anndddd, may I ask what is an alternator? Where can I get a battery tester & a voltage meter? & what's a throttle body?

^^; I feel like an idiot.

[SHARK]

Your car is a time bomb.

Get rid of it.

[Clix]

Your car is a time bomb.

Get rid of it.

Wrong. From the description, it's only making ticking noises during startup. Which is generally a simple fix being, low battery voltage, low alternator output, or a drain.

[Luxirie]

Your car is a time bomb.

Get rid of it.

LOL I suppose you know how to dispose of it? =)

Wrong. From the description, it's only making ticking noises during startup. Which is generally a simple fix being, low battery voltage, low alternator output, or a drain.

My dad said that may be the problem.

Should I take the car to a gas station? Or somewhere like Kragen or Pepboys?

[SHARK]

Wrong. From the description, it's only making ticking noises during startup. Which is generally a simple fix being, low battery voltage, low alternator output, or a drain.

Even worse - it's a time bomb with special conditions.

LOL I suppose you know how to dispose of it? =)

Push it off a pier into the ocean.

[90th.degree]

You can get the alternator at basically any parts store, but installing it is a different story. Either have someone you know that's good with cars install it, or take it to a shop and pay an arm and a leg to do it (parts+labor).

Quick dealership parts lookup has the alternator for a 2000 Toyota Celica listed at $647.83 for the entire assembly. If it's just the internal parts that need a fix up, that would be around 30-250 dollars depending on the part. HOWEVER, it should be MUCH cheaper to go to a Pepboys, Autozone, etc. for a refurbished one since dealerships have massive prices on parts.

If anyone is interested, I can give you the link for the parts database I used, basically has every model of Toyota/Lexus parts listed up until 2007.

[Clix]

LOL I suppose you know how to dispose of it? =)


My dad said that may be the problem.

Should I take the car to a gas station? Or somewhere like Kragen or Pepboys?

You should take it to the gas station if you need a drink.

I suggest going to a good reputable private owned mechanic shop for diagnostics.

[jakex1]

Check the battery with a battery tester first before you replace it. Check the alternator output with a voltage meter, it should be around 13.5 or higher. Clean out your throttle body also. Check your spark plugs and when the wires were changed if ever for the idling thing

i thought the voltage has to be exactly 14 or it will drain it fast. My moms lexus was 13.5 too and it was killing the battery.

After you start your car, if u give the car a little bit of gas does it stay on? also does the engine feel weaker than usual? I would have to stick with my original post and say change the battery.

[Luxirie]

Even worse - it's a time bomb with special conditions.



Push it off a pier into the ocean.

As fantastic as the idea is, the closest pier to where I live is probably 20 minutes away. ^^;

You can get the alternator at basically any parts store, but installing it is a different story. Either have someone you know that's good with cars install it, or take it to a shop and pay an arm and a leg to do it (parts+labor).

Quick dealership parts lookup has the alternator for a 2000 Toyota Celica listed at $647.83 for the entire assembly. If it's just the internal parts that need a fix up, that would be around 30-250 dollars depending on the part. HOWEVER, it should be MUCH cheaper to go to a Pepboys, Autozone, etc. for a refurbished one since dealerships have massive prices on parts.

If anyone is interested, I can give you the link for the parts database I used, basically has every model of Toyota/Lexus parts listed up until 2007.

That price quote is waaayyy out of bounds for me. I'll take it to a mechanic & see what happens. Thank you for looking it up though!

You should take it to the gas station if you need a drink.

I suggest going to a good reputable private owned mechanic shop for diagnostics.

I shall do that. Thanks!

i thought the voltage has to be exactly 14 or it will drain it fast. My moms lexus was 13.5 too and it was killing the battery.

After you start your car, if u give the car a little bit of gas does it stay on? also does the engine feel weaker than usual? I would have to stick with my original post and say change the battery.

The car stays on after I jump start it. It just dies after I turn the engine off.
The engine actually feels really normal when I drive it.

[SHARK]

If you can't get it to a pier, I suggest cutting the red wire, and splicing it with the blue one.

[Luxirie]

^ LOL It's been two days & my car still haven't exploded. I think I can put it off for another day or maybe even a couple of years. =D

[jakex1]

^ LOL It's been two days & my car still haven't exploded. I think I can put it off for another day or maybe even a couple of years. =D

im getting a psychic reading that soon your car is gonna die after u start it and leave it idling.
Lol but dont call me out on it

[Luxirie]

im getting a psychic reading that soon your car is gonna die after u start it and leave it idling.
Lol but dont call me out on it

I changed my battery yesterday and my car starts up fine now. =) However, when I come to a stop, the car drops REALLY close to 0 RPM.

Any ideas of why that may be?

[CupOfNoodles]

it honestly can be ANYTHING...

if you have the money, i suggest you should just take it to a professional because DIY may not always be the best solution.

[Luxirie]

My car is running properly now! =) Yay!

Thanks to everyone who replied!!