could my alternator be having a quarter life crisis?

[rafflesj]

I have a car question. My Toyota Camry started acting funny yesterday. I was going down the freeway, on a relatively level stretch of road when it felt like the car was lurching. My speed didn't seem to change and neither did the RPMs. And then today, as a pulled away from a stop light, it suddenly felt like I was driving with the parking brake on. The check engine light came on and I pulled over and shut the engine off. It turned back on and seemed to be fine?

Anyone out there automotively inclined? I mean I figure I need to take it in to the dealer anyway, but I'd rather not be a complete dufus about it.

[nxn]

sounds like it needs a tune more than anything else. my 1994 Holden Commodore ( australian car ) does the same when its time for a tune, currently its does it every now and then, usually after work and its been sitting there for 8hrs.

[SunDevil]

I doubt it is your alternator. Your battery wouldn't be able to charge and you would have problems starting your car.

My guess is your fuel pump might be having problems.

[heatherf]

I too would guess the fuel pump. Been there. Sounds like it.

[Benwa]

I doubt its an alternator. I've had two go out. When it goes out, you're just F-ed. Everything goes off, like you're in Apollo 13. An odd thing about alternators I've found through my experience and talking to others. If you're radio starts acting up or not working, your alternator will crap out soon.

[corrie3000]

Ugh. I've owned 5 cars since High School, and all but ONE lost the alternator. Its a pain, and usually happens in colder weather - particularly when your battery is low.

I'd DEFINATLY get it checked out, because I didn't and i lost more than one car! (You'd think I'd learn after the first 2...but...)

[bigboom]

Originally posted by rafflesj
I have a car question. My Toyota Camry started acting funny yesterday. I was going down the freeway, on a relatively level stretch of road when it felt like the car was lurching. My speed didn't seem to change and neither did the RPMs. And then today, as a pulled away from a stop light, it suddenly felt like I was driving with the parking brake on. The check engine light came on and I pulled over and shut the engine off. It turned back on and seemed to be fine?

Anyone out there automotively inclined? I mean I figure I need to take it in to the dealer anyway, but I'd rather not be a complete dufus about it.


check your MAF (mass air flow) sensor. it sounds like something tripped it causing your AF ratios to mess up which in turn caused your ecu to shut the car off. one thing i would try it reset the ecu by unplugging the negative terminal on the battery and step on your brake pedal for 30 seconds. drive around and see what happens. the maf is located on the same piping as your intake, take it out and see if it's dirty/clogged.

also like other people have already suggested check your fuel pump. both of these are likely causes of what you described.

what year is the car and how many km's are on it?

[Benwa]

apparently Boom is a gear head. When people go off on technical car stuff I like to just nod my head and say "Yep". "Did you recalibrate the Jamminframice to the proper pin firing ratio, of course only after the gluxonuts have been properly torqued to manufactur specs. Then I'd try a clean burn of the intake mufflometer to establish proper rack and pinion steering has been established thru the adequate airflow channels."

"Yep... I know I'll check the tire pressure!" (psst!) "Damn, maybe I'll put in more windshield washer fluid. What? Why yes I am retarded. I think I'll go buy a horse instead."

[rafflesj]

I have a horse. Those discussions typically aren't as technical as those about cars, but then you get to see "nice" folks do the stupidest things to their horses, often with the horse getting hurt.

But on the other hand, when we finally run out of oil, you'll be set if you have a horse!

[Kerowyn]

Also, too, if you want to get your alternator checked out, places like Checker and Autozone will check it out for free. I got my battery checked at Checker and my alternator at Autozone and they were fine. I thought they would try and rip me off to get me to buy stuff but they didn't. so fyi if you wanted to go that way:)