Car won't start unless jumper cables are connected.?

Question

My sister bought a 2001 Celica GT back in July, but after driving it for a few weeks ended up getting a different car after a family member passed away. The Celica sat outside her apartment since then and until today hasn't been used. We decided to give the car to my fiance since hers recently broke down. When we went to start it however all it did was sit there and click, it wouldn't turn over. We thought either the battery had died or it was out of gas, so we added a little gas and jumped it. It started fine when we jumped it, so we drove it around the block a few times to recharge the battery. After stopping and turning the engine off though, it wouldn't start again. After some trial and error we've come to the realization that it will start fine when we're using jumper cables, but it just won't start on its own. Does this sound like a problem with the starter, or do we simply need to let the car run longer to let the battery recharge more. Any help would be greatly appreciated as w

Answer 1

Don't know a huge amount about cars but it sounds like it's either a problem with the alternator or the battery is dead. Try replacing the battery with a new one and if that doesn't work you may need to see about having the alternator replaced.

Answer 2

Doesn't matter if you run that car from the east to west coast it still won't start. You have officially killed the battery in that car. The car is starting because of the boost and continues to run because of the alternator. After a car battery has been drained of all power they are basically DOA. Just buy a new battery and all is well.

Answer 3

Most batteries have a year on them. Regardless, since it has set and not been used, go ahead and replace the battery. Changing the starter and alternator, because of the conditions you've described, wouldn't be a bad choice either. Good luck!

Answer 4

Replace the battery and you should be fine. If the alt was bad the car wouldnt run unless the battery had enough charge to run the car and seeing how you have to jump the battery to start the car i dont think it does.

Answer 5

i don't know too much about cars, but i've had this problem too!! in my case the alternator wasn't charging the battery so i had to get that replaced. defenatly let the car run so the battery can charge, if that doesn't work, the battery itself could be toast, try a different battery. if that doesn't work, its your alternator.

Answer 6

THis is not the starter. It is the battery. The battery is old and it won't recharge which means you need to put in a new one.

Answer 7

first step....
clean both neg and pos battery post and cables...
may be corrided,,,,,,,,

jumpers let charge jump over and start but no juice from battery gets thru corrison to wires ect.

after cleaning see any battery will turn engine over...
If it does--just the dirty connection..........

if not =jump start and let run for 30 mins or so...
that should charge up enoiugh to check battery..
turn off and try..
if no juice battery is prob dead...

if alt not work read ind light should be on inside dash...
chance are thats not the prob..

battery or just dirty connects.

just scrape/sandpaper post and inside terminals.
nice and shiny...

Answer 8

I had a similar problem with a 1995 Neon, It actually ended up being the battery, It wouldnt hold a charge and I had to replace it. There not all that exspencive and you can replace it yourself so it shouldnt be that bad

Answer 9

the battery could be bad...or the alternator could be faulty and not charging up the battery......have the battery tested first....its cheaper to replace

Answer 10

Check battery,alternator and all ignition wirings. If ignition wirings are faulty and catches humidity it does not repond. I think mostly it is your alternator and battery both.