Should I replace the alternator or starter?

Question

I'll give you a little history about my car first. I have an 89 Toyota Camry, and I've had it since i was 16 yrs old. I had minor problems with it, but nothing major. About a month ago, sometimes my car would not start up, but the radio, and the a/c would work. I figured it might be the battery. So yesterday, i finally got a battery, yet it's still doing the same thing ! This doesn't happen too often, yet it seems that my car has a span of not wanting to start every two weeks ( least it seems like it). Since everything starts up, but the car itself, is it the alternator or the starter? Some say alternator and some say starter, but i'm not sure myself. What do you all think?

Update:

thanks all for the advice; i will get it tested tomorrow.

STEELERS Nation( THE JOY OF SIX) · Accepted Answer

it is your starter it has a dead spot on your starter when you get it off the dead spot the car will start when you are on the dead spot the car will not start change your starter and not your alternator

Nikki · Answer

Ok if you notice that the lights in your car are going dim and then like nothing work then it would have to be the alternator because when the alternator goes bad your car is running on the battery alone and the alternator keeps the battery charged or sumthing like that.  However since you said that all the electrical stuff on the inside of your car is working then its most likely the starter.  I'd have someone take your starter out and get it tested at a mechanic or something, Hope this helps!

Sara C · Answer

if it were the starter it wouldnt start at all it would just make a clicking sound. you can get it tested but usually starters just crap out and you cant start your car until you put a new one in. It could be a lot of different things but doesnt sound like the alternator or starter. I would have to say distributor. if it also dies while you are driving and then takes a while to start up again, thats also a sign of the distributor

Bob and Dana rock · Answer

If it were your alternator it would not charge your battery and it would go dead. So it will not be your alternator. You should have your starter tested before buying a new one because it may not be the starter either. Most auto stores will test them for free.

Stargazer · Answer

Since the alternator only works when the car is running...it may be a bad connection on the starter...or a bad solenoid...or the starter itself has an intermittent issue.

tacotanker271 · Answer

Could be either. Pull your alternator out and take it up to a auto store for a test. They can test it for free (usually) and tell you for sure if your alternators bad. If its bad, replace the starter.

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Should I replace the alternator or starter?

6 Answers