My 97 Camry died on the side of the road (after I had parked and tried to restart). I heard the clicking of the starter but it wouldn't turn over. My wife brought our other car and we were able to jump start it and I drove it home, parked it, and replaced the battery with a new WalMart battery. I cranked it and got one or two clicks of the starter and that was it. When I tried again a minute later there was no power. No lights came on and I couldn't even lower the windows. Could it be I got a bad battery? Could it be a starter or alternator problem? The cables were pretty corroded although I sanded them to make sure there was a connection but could they be a problem? Lastly I couldn't figure out which was the positive and which was the negative cable, although assuming the WalMart employee gave me the right battery, there was only one way the battery could go in and one way the cables could connect. Could this have been the problem?

When you hear a series of rapid clicks when trying to start the car, it is almost always a battery or connection problem. If you hear just one click, it is usually the starter. The cable terminals that go on the battery posts and the posts themselves should be shinny clean. Since you mentioned the cables were pretty corroded, I would guess that's your problem. Go to any auto parts store and pick up a battery terminal/post cleaning tool. Walmart may even sell them. They are only a few dollars and it will last you for life. Have the parts store person show you how to use it. There are usually male and female wire brushes. For cleaning the battery cable terminals you use the male end. For cleaning the battery posts them selves, use the female end. Clean things up and reattach everything and the car should start right up. Remember, they have to be shinny clean. When done, I would recommend putting some vasoline over the terminal and post combination on the battery. This will prevent the corrosion from returning. Give this a try. This is something almost anyone can do themselves.

Good luck.

Mike

Thanks Mike,
That was the problem alright. I had the battery tested and it was fine, so I asked for the brush and the store was out, but the WalMart employee said to try removing the corrosion with Coca Cola. 60 seconds in the coke and it kicked right over. He also recommended putting vasoline over the terminals to prevent future corrosion. Thanks again,
Warren

Thanks Mike,
That was the problem alright. I had the battery tested and it was fine, so I asked for the brush and the store was out, but the WalMart employee said to try removing the corrosion with Coca Cola. 60 seconds in the coke and it kicked right over. He also recommended putting vasoline over the terminals to prevent future corrosion. Thanks again,
Warren


Glad to hear this solved your problem.

I still recommend you get the battery terminal/cable cleaner at your earliest convience and remove the terminals and clean the cable terminals and battery posts properly. Remember, shinny clean. You will need a 10MM wrech to remove them. Just remove the negative cable first and reattach it last. Then put the vasoline over the post/terminal combination. I have even seen some of these cleaning brushes at a few dollar stores.

Mike