Key lock and no start after jumping with battery Charger?

Tiny
VENUSELAM
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 GMC JIMMY
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
So, my truck was running okay, I did notice the past couple of days it was having a tough time starting usually starts on first turn. I should say a couple days before that I had a security link out issue, I'm not sure what happened but I couldn't get my car to start after I believed a motion detected security breach engaged disabling my car from starting. I looked up how to resolve. Reset my security still would not start. My boyfriend pulled out a battery charger and started right up I drove car for the time estimated to give a good charge and viola however I was told that putting a charger on a battery while still connected to car can create issues with the battery due to the amount of voltage it can run through the charging system. And here I am, I got up the other morning and my car was dead. I put the key in and it would not release the key I checked the shifter and it got stuck in reverse or neutral I ended up getting it into park but my lights and bells would intermittently go off as if not a good connection so a friend was going to give me a jump and I heard arching underneath the hood of my car in the fuse panel box. I do not know what to do next.
Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 AT 11:51 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Well, it sounded like you just needed a new battery, but with the second jump it might have been connected backwards unfortunately.

Here is a video on how to jump start a car correctly:

https://youtu.be/a9Ycibu9cwY?si=AvagQR_A919Mk9gY

Here is a guide on what to do now:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/resolving-reverse-battery-connection-in-cars-a-step-by-step-repair-guide

I would lift the hood and check the fuses and main fusible. here is a guide to help and the fuse location to help you fix it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Test with the key on. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.

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Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
VENUSELAM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1999 GMC JIMMY
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Does the battery need to be taken off the positive and negative ground to safely jump or charge a dead battery? Can it create problems other than to the battery if it is hooked up to the car's charging system?
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Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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The car won't start.
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Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 AT 3:01 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 48,363 POSTS
Yes, it won't, did you go over the guides, check the fuses as suggested?
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Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
VENUSELAM
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  • 6 POSTS
I am going to try to check them now. I did not have a fuse puller but I do now. Is there an easier way to pull fuses?
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Friday, September 20th, 2024 AT 11:07 AM
Tiny
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This is a bit overwhelming for me. I have taken out the battery this is my fuse panel box can you tell me which ones are the main and where to start checking
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Friday, September 20th, 2024 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would not pull the fuses out, I would use a test light which is a few bucks and amazon or the auto parts store and go over this guide, test the fuses with the key on.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Friday, September 20th, 2024 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
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I never got around to testing the fuses. Slow charging seemed to do the trick. Should I still test the fuses cut like I said I'm probably going to need a new battery at this point.
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Friday, September 20th, 2024 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Checking the fuses does not hurt anything but if the battery is bad that would be the first step. Here is a guide to help you load test the battery:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Saturday, September 21st, 2024 AT 10:50 AM

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