Scotty,
I know some of this may sound dumb, but I'd rather ask a dumb question than make a dumb mistake.
The cliffnotes version: On our car (04 Camry XLE 2.4L), the battery light came on and we had to limp home. We replaced the battery (we had them run their machine at Advance Auto on the car and it confirmed the battery was bad), but the battery light is still on. I cleaned the terminals with a terminal cleaner (brush type), and we ran the car for a little bit but the light remains on. I'd hate to think it's the alternator (I replaced it two years ago)m but the guy at the auto store told me that "the battery light means the alternator". I may not be the world's smartest guy when it comes to cars, but I wanted to ask an expert before just taking the word of someone at the counter.
Your thoughts before I end up just taking it to a mechanic? I'd hate liek hell to spend money I don't have, but I'd hate it worse to cheap out only to make matters a lot worse than they are now. Much thanks in advance, and my apologies to the gang here if I sound like a moron.
-pb
Test the alternator.
Okay...I have a multimeter; can I use that, and if so, what's the procedure?
It took about 5 seconds to find this instructional video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBU-vA10PP8
Much appreciated, thanks.
this isn't a thorough test. Alternator should be tested under load.
If it fails though you know the alternator is dead. To be a little more thorough you can turn on all lights, HVAC blower, accessories, and check while cooling fan is blowing.
I'd hate liek hell to spend money I don't have,
Then don't! Don't be a parts changer. They can be tested.
Test the alternator at a battery dealer or autozone.
It's free.
I did!! I told you guys that.
Okay, this is the third time I've posted here, and gotten snippy people who don't remember what it was like when they were new to fixing stuff. And while I'm new to that, I am an expert of posting at forums, and I know that folks being crabby just makes newer members not want to be there.
Sorry to bother you folks. Enjoy your forum; I'm sorry anyone ever intruded into your precious little cave.
-pb
Chill, pardner. You are confusing lively discussion for snippiness.
Maybe you've been spending a little too much time in forums?
I'll tell you what I see... People who stopped and took irreplaceable, precious time out of their lives to offer you sincere and legitimate advice, so why all the ingratitude? Personally, I would be thanking everybody for their help. They didn't have to do it. We give straightforward and honest advice here, just like Scotty does in his videos. Something that is in short supply if you ask me.
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OK maybe we didn't have a TV show like Scotty so we aren't show men, but we try. Sure we may not get thing 100% right and miss things here or there. We're only human. We answer a lot of repetitive questions, you know? We can't wave our hands around, so we throw words around instead. Comprende?
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We deal with mechanical novices here all the time. All the guys here love teaching and explaining and give what they can. Read the forum and see for yourself! Of course we all remember what it was like to not know anything.
In fact, I think you are forgetting one important fact... We had to go either find the knowledge ourselves with our legs or earn it with experience. We didn't have computers in our back pockets. Millions of hours of available knowledge wasn't delivered straight to our faces in convenient digestible video format.
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If there's something that you can't figure out on your own, or need clarification about, then by all means ask for more detail. We're happy to help (provided that people try. Lazy people who can't follow instructions or ignore resources placed in front of them will be mocked). Don't expect be to spoon fed everything and receive pats on the head. (that's what your mom/gf is for) Especially when it's so readily available. We don't have ages to spend on basic stuff. Some things you should at least spend 5 minutes web searching for yourself before getting assistance, especially when they're so readily available.
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BTW, I still don't see where you said you tested the alternator, which is why I suggested it. I run several forums myself, and what I learned is that you just can't make some people happy.