Help me out Nico.

[5zigen]

Hey whats up guys,First some vital info first, 97 Q with 100xxx miles.Heres the deal. The car recently sat for 2 weeks, and today I went to start the car up, but to my biggest fear the battery was weak; or at least almost dead. Nothing in the car turned on. Gas tank at half. The thing is that when I bring the key to "ON," theres no click... no noise, its just normal, as if you were really start an engine but without the turnover or crank. I tried jumpstarting but that wouldn't help either. I also read in a topic around here that, when the starter clicks the battery is completely dead but if it doesn't the cells still have some life in them, so maybe somethings wrong?The worst part is that the battery was replaced in April '05. It was a generic Autolite Kragen one. I gave my mechanic a call and he said that batteries from Kragen were trash.I also remember reading that alternators are a big problem on these cars.Could it be either one? I don't want to shell out another $100+ on a new battery.

What was the good brand battery if this is the case? The one with the red top, recommended by Nico?

Thanks.

[FarFetched]

OPTIMA RED TOP it the best.I've had RED Tfor 7 years in my off-road ready JEEP. Drained that sucker many times when using whinch and it just kept comming back alive after a charge!Be rady to pay 140-150$$Quote »OPTIMA RedTop Benefits Lasts up to 2 times longer than other batteries. More power in the initial 1, 3, 5, and 10 seconds of the starting process than comparably rated conventional lead acid batteries.Constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged, it can sit unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still start a car. 15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries. Nonspillable and can mount in almost any position. [/quote]

[FarFetched]

As to your problem it sounds as though starter solenoid stuck or there is an interruption in starting crcuit!Check fuses, fusable links and so on.Simple thing first!

[Q451990]

Do you have a volt meter? Check the voltage when the car is just sitting - then read the voltage after you turn the key on. If it drops waaaay down, the battery needs to be recharged (at a minimum). If you don't see a voltage drop - it's time to check connections to the starter.

Typically you should see the following voltages at the battery terminal:

approx. 12VDC - car offapprox. 10VDC - starter engaged, car not running (cranking the car)approx. 14VDC - car at idle

So - you can check alternator function after the car is running (assuming the battery is fully charged). If the battery voltage is about the same before and after starting- and you see it dropping a couple of milivolts at a time - you can bet that the car is operating off of the battery only - the alternator isn't charging.

My guess is that your battery is just low... the radio and lights will work for a long time after the battery is too low to start the car. The starter pulls a lot more current than accessories.

Good luck!

Heath

[5zigen]

I forgot to add that nothing turns on.

No interior lights, no dash lights (when key turned to ACC,) no security light blink, nothing. I don't hear the click either in the engine when I turn the kye to the ACC options.

Well, I found out after coming home from school today that my dad took the battery somewhere. Hopefully it's just the battery and nothing else.

*side note: I think Autolite is a very crappy brand. I remember I got my spark plugs changed at some mechanic and they put in some "Autolite Double Platinum" plugs. Oh man that was not good. Misfires and knocking all over the place.

[Q451990]

I forgot to add that nothing turns on.

No interior lights, no dash lights (when key turned to ACC,) no security light blink, nothing. I don't hear the click either in the engine when I turn the kye to the ACC options..

So it's completely dead? That would definately indicated a bad battery or very bad battery connection...

Heath