Why does my 1996 Toyota Camry shut off when I

Sounds like you have a bad battery. If it won't take the charge the alternator is giving it, then it won't start. Take it up and have the battery tested to see if it is taking or holding a charge.

13 volts is normal.
-Turn on every thing and check to see how many volts still? If it's below 12. The alternator not produce enought power. Need new one.
-If the alternator is new, take it back to part store for testing. If it's good then follow the next step:
-Start the car to tempature.
-All accesories must be off. Voltage at battery should be between 13.8 to 14.5 volts.
If not. 100% Alternator.
If Yes. Then turn on each accesorie (One per time) and test again.

For example:
-Turn on headlight /then check.
-Turn on radion/ then check.

*This way you will be able to point to the bad component that use too much power.

Q: It's still working, why you mean it's bad...?
A: It's still working but too much resistant so it required more power to operate.

Mai Lor

If the engine will not crank, a mechanic would check for power at the starter, the neutral safety switch, and the key switch. If you have no headlights or instruments, be sure to check the battery cables and the main fuse.

The first thing to check is the battery, if the battery is dead try jump starting it with another car or use another battery, if it then starts you should have the alternator tested, most autoparts stores do this at no charge, it may be that the alternator is not keeping the battery charged.

If the vehicle need to be jumped then the battery is too weak to start the car.
1. replace battery
2. with good battery start car and check charging system If voltage reads below 13volts possibly the alternator is bad.

Check bulb in headlight ( do not touch the glass part of the head lamp)
a good way to check is replace one with a new one see if it comes on.
If not check fuse for the headlamps ( I am assuming you are talking about low beams)

Sounds like something is drawing power from the battery when you are not driving your car. Check interior lights, head lights, brake lights, aftermarket stereo or trailer wiring.

Alternator not charging battery...Although theres power in battery!

Could be a loose or dirty battery connection, poor battery, or alternator. Check all the cables and connections to your starter. Clean your battery posts. Have your alternator and battery checked. It sounds like you are either running off just the battery or just the alternator. One of them is not right.

I HAD SAME PROBLEM SOLVER OF MY MOMS 1996 CAMRY ABOUT HORN GOING OFF AND CAR WOULDN'T CRANK. JUMPED IT OFF AFTER A FEWW FRANTIC MOMENTS OF HORN HONKING-- FOUND OU IT WAS AN ALARM THING AND YOU CAN SHUT IT OFF BY TURNING IGNITION KEY TO ON POSITION AND MOVING TOGGLE SWITCH AT DRIVER KICK PANEL TO OVERIDE THE HONKING HORN PROBLEM--STILL NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED IT TO DO THIS AT BEGINNING. BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED AND HEADLIGHTS REAL BRIGHT TOO. COULD HAVE BEEN A DOORLOCK MANUAL MALFUNCTION--BEEN OK FOR A WEEK NOW.

check your alternator belt if its good check your battery with a volt ohm meter engine off it should read 12.1-6 volts start car should read 13.3 nothing lower than this if higher 14.and above alternator is bad if lower than 13. altnator is not charging the battery.