Car will not turn over

225,000 MILES • 4 CYL • AUTOMATIC
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SAC1214
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
When trying to start my car it will not turn over at all. The battery is drained. No lights on the dashboard turn on or flicker. I cannot switch gears at all even into neutral. What can I do to remedy the situation?
May 8, 2018 at 8:38 AM
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HARRY P
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 2,292 POSTS
Well, the first thing you want to do is jump start the car. Here is our guide on jump starting: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

Once the car is started, let it idle for a few minutes while you check the various switches and make sure that nothing was left on. Check the overhead/dome light, headlight switch, any power seat switch, and so on. If that does not turn up an issue, then drive it to the nearest auto parts shop and have them load test the battery. They will do that for you for free and it only takes a few minutes, if even that long.

If it comes back as a bad battery, then simply buy a new one. They will install it for you for free and you will be on your way in a few minutes.

If it comes back as being a good battery, then things get a bit trickier here. What you have going on is an electrical short circuit which is draining the battery. The test that I personally run is a test that anyone can do. All you need is a multi-meter ($15.00 to $20.00 or so at AutoZone). Disconnect one of the battery cables from the battery. Take your multi-meter, turn it on, and set to 20 volts DC. Take one lead and connect it to the newly disconnected battery cable, and connect the other lead to the battery post. You may have to MacGyver it to keep the leads connected. You should see some sort of reading. Now start unplugging fuses, one at a time, until you see a significant drop in the meters reading. You have now identified the circuit. If the car has any aftermarket electronics (like a radio, for example), then start with checking that.

This is the multimeter that I have: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-multimeter-digital-with-8-functions-and-20/p-03482141000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

And here is the 2CarPros guide (also a good test, just slightly different than mine): https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

So, start there and let us know what you turn up.
May 8, 2018 at 12:22 PM
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