2009 Corolla with 145k
We had this car for about 2yrs.
Yesterday after car wash it would not start - jump start worked.
Shop tested and said “Diodes failed” on their machine.
I came home and used multimeter - then it showed a voltage of 13.62 at idle and when gently revved up, it went to 13.7v.
This morning:
Batt idle voltage was 12.56v - I was expecting at least 12.6v - it could be battery was drained a bit due to issues.
when engine was running, it showed 14.26v.
Shop tested and said alternator passed (Reg, Diodes, Output).
Did my pressure wash caused it - perhaps a short? Or Alternator is beginning to go bad?
BTW: Thinking of changing the Serpetine belt: Comments on Bando, Dayco belts?
Just a side note, probably not your issue, but make sure your water pump (external) pully hub is not coming off, mine blew off and never lost any coolant, it’s a very long shot but my 2009 had less miles, but probably driven much harder…
The car wash could have just gotten the belt wet and it slipped some, I would just kept an eye on it…
This car usually first thing in the morning - the belt slips.
For my hand is tight.
Should I just change the Serpentine belt and keep an eye on Alternator - Bando cost $20 on Rock auto?
Bando are garbage. Dayco and Gates are good belts. Also, check to see if your tensioner is in good condition. I don’t know about the 2009-2013 generation, but the 2003 to 2008 Corolla had issues with the stock tensioner, and Toyota released a TSB and a redesigned tensioner for those models.
Not surprised by the alternator failure, my sons 2009 had the alternator go out 2 years ago. I doubt the car wash did it in. If you are in to the alternator and belt might as well change the water pump, my sons 2009 was replaced about a year ago. A bit tight to work the bolts but can be done. When we looked at the old pump the impellers were corroded and showed a lot of wear. If you take care of this car it will give you lots of good service. The alternator bolt is the tension adjuster. BTW use a lot of PB Blaster on the bolts before you start working on them
So I better replace :
Water pump (shop)
Serpentine &
Alternator (might have it repaired)
Change the Sparks myself.
NB:
Yesterday when the shop tested he had the the engine turned off and headlight turned on - then came up with diodes failed. What kind of test is this?
What type of “shop” tested your battery and alternator? I have seen many customers directed to the dealer for a new alternator when they only needed a new battery.
If the battery went dead while having the doors open for ten minutes at the car wash, the battery should be replaced.
@bcohen2010 Bando is the Toyota OE manufacturer. Perfect fit. Gates a good brand that gives life time warranty. Gates spec might be little off.
O’Reilly in Calif has many young non-english speaking boys working there - i know for sure that he was uncomfortable - he complained that the m/c was not responding - he put the deice on the car so I could see it - I was reading it and translating it to him so he responded for “Y” and etc. I went back (what is funny is the same guy privately told me with confident he did it yesterday!) and the big guy just said its all electronic and the device asks to do that - unsure if he was defensive or he is not in the mood.
I did tighten the tensioner above the alternator - car has been making a squeaky sound as if the belt slips. Maybe the belt needs to be changed.
If I do not have to change the water pump, I can leave it in there. But the car is moving to east cost. So I want to do all the preventive maintenance especially around here I know shops. Tips appreciated!!!
Going back to the original issue, perhaps there was a short while pressure washing the car or there is an intermittent issue on the alternator. Car has seen a lot of rain in the last 2 yrs. Few other car washes but never an issue like this.
I have been to O’Reilly auto parts stores but never to an O’Reilly auto repair shop. Is the m/c the store manager or the master of ceremonies?
Those handheld battery and charging system testers are unreliable, the battery and alternator should be retested properly before replacing parts.
A short circuit that could discharge a battery in a few minutes would create a lot of heat and possibly a fire, it is unlikely that occurred.
Do you pressure wash the engine during each car wash? Even if the belt slipped for 30 seconds, that would not discharge the battery, the vehicle could be driven for 20 minutes with a failed alternator or slipping belt.
What does m/c stand for ? And if this vehicle needs to be in decent shape before you send it across the country have a real shop give it inspection and quit guessing.
Clean your battery cable ends and make sure they are tight. Also adjust your alternator belt tension and make sure it isn’t slipped (look for a “glaze” or shininess on the inside of the belt). Then see how the car peforms for a few days and re-test using a multimeter placed on the + and - of the battery (set to 12V) and make sure you get a reading around 14V or higher when you rev the engine.