# 1998 Toyota Camry battery **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 2, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986 "2017-01-02T18:45:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rubix123451](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/67e7ee/32.png) [@rubix123451](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rubix123451)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/1 "2017-01-02T18:45:18Z")
A few weeks ago I had to go and jump start my mom’s car, this was what I think was the start of all of the problems with my car. I drive a 1998 Toyota Camry with around 150,000-200,000 miles on it. It’s always ran pretty well for me but just recently it’s been sort of acting up. I went and jump started my mom’s battery but being the dumb curious teenager that I am decided to click the positive and negative ends of my cables together, creating a short circuit in my battery. Since I did this I’ve had to jump start my car twice in the past 3 weeks. Also I was driving earlier today and while driving my car turned completely off. I couldn’t turn, brake, or do anything basically. I believe that I just messed my battery up but I’d like some extra help to know what’s wrong with it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/2 "2017-01-02T18:55:09Z")
could be the battery, but it’s also possible you zapped the alternator, or some other electronics. I’d take it to a shop and get the battery and charging system checked. Many parts stores will do this free. _Since I did this I’ve had to jump start my car twice in the past 3 weeks_. It may help if you provided more details here. Did it crank? what happened when you turned the key? Any error lights on the dash? ---
**Author:** ![rubix123451](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/67e7ee/32.png) [@rubix123451](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rubix123451)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/3 "2017-01-02T19:12:07Z")
Well the first time I jump started it, it started up fine and I was able to drive it. The second time at first the dash lit up but the engine didn’t flip. So I got out and readjusted the cables and it turned on fine. But while I was driving it after that it just seemed like the car was running a little bit different I could tell something with it was wrong but didn’t know what it was. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/4 "2017-01-02T19:13:42Z")
BillRussell is correct. Start with a test of the battery and charging system. My guess is that you damaged the alternator. I hope you didn’t do this experiment near either of the batteries. Batteries can give off hydrogen gas and explode if a spark happens near them, with people occasionally blinded as a result. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/5 "2017-01-02T19:51:24Z")
The next time someone needs a jump just call a wrecker service. The 25 to 35 dollar charge is much less than the price of a fried battery or electronics. After all that is what they do. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/6 "2017-01-02T22:48:20Z")
I agree with and support the posts from Bill and the others. And I’ll bet your mom would love a gift of a AAA card from you. That, to me, is a truly loving gift, a gift that keeps on giving. 😌 ---
**Author:** ![monkarl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@monkarl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/monkarl)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/7 "2017-01-03T04:06:15Z")
Some shops will input the CCA to test the battery so make sure that they will type in the correct one. ---
**Author:** ![Sloepoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sloepoke](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sloepoke)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/8 "2017-01-03T16:37:36Z")
You mentioned readjusting the battery cables & then the car started fine . Not sure what you meant by readjusting the cables . Those cables must be clean & tight where they connect to the battery . If you can move them around by hand , they aren’t tight enough . ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/9 "2017-01-03T17:25:07Z")
> [@Sloepoke](#): > > If you can move them around by hand , they aren’t tight enough . Or you have an internally broken battery post. Seen that. ---
**Author:** ![Sloepoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sloepoke](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sloepoke)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-toyota-camry-battery/97986/10 "2017-01-03T18:55:47Z")
Yep , I have too .