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Car doesn't turn over, click, or start...stereo and lights don't turn on either ???

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Old 06-24-2009 | 08:07 PM
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Car doesn't turn over, click, or start...stereo and lights don't turn on either ???

My car sat in the garage for a couple weeks. I found out I mistakenly left the key in the on position. When I came back the car was dead so I charged up the battery, however when I turn the key the gauges light up, but the lights and stereo dont work? Also the car doesnt turn over or even attempt to start when I turn the key? I tried jump starting it and nothing worked either...?
Old 06-24-2009 | 08:09 PM
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Well first make sure your battery has a full charge. Next step is to check your starter it may be shot
Old 06-24-2009 | 08:14 PM
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battery is good, i havent checked the starter but besides that the stereo nor lights come on when the key is in the ignition?
Old 06-24-2009 | 08:37 PM
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When you say the lights are turning on, which lights specifically? Interior, headlights, dash?
Do your doors lock/unlock (with or without the key in the ignition)?
To help narrow it down, we need to find out electrically what works and doesn't.
Of course, this is taken into account that the battery is indeed good.
Old 06-24-2009 | 08:41 PM
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check the battery connectors.. sometimes they can become loose.
Old 06-24-2009 | 08:54 PM
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battery is good , lets just say nothing electrical works in the car except the gauges...no lights in or out, doors dont unlock or lock etc, no stereo, nothing, basically nothing works except the gauges
Old 06-24-2009 | 09:02 PM
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Just to clarify... when you say gauges, do you mean the instrument cluster or do you have aftermarket gauges?
Old 06-24-2009 | 09:13 PM
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Check the fuse!
Old 06-24-2009 | 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Razz1
Check the fuse!
That is what I was trying to narrow down for him
But yes, you can go through ALL the fuses (engine bay and the kick panel).
If you can't find a blown fuse, then we need to narrow it down more.
Old 06-24-2009 | 10:52 PM
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if it is not the fuse then it will be relays or ignition switch.
Old 06-24-2009 | 10:54 PM
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/\ What he said!
Old 06-24-2009 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Winning 8
if it is not the fuse then it will be relays or ignition switch.
EDIT- I'm correcting my previous post after I thought about it.
There are devices that recieve constant voltage.
This should eliminate relays and the ignition switch.
I would take the battery to Autozone and have them test it.
Its hard to believe that the battery is good after having the key in the ON position for two weeks.
I know you feel its good, but I've been looking through the electrical diagram over and over again trying to find anything else that could cause it.
It seems to always trace back to the battery.

Last edited by Jon316G; 06-24-2009 at 11:15 PM.
Old 06-25-2009 | 04:28 AM
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My battery dried up and died recently. I got it serviced i.e. water put into it and charged for a full day (9-5). When I installed it it still wouldn't start and it was testing perfectly. I wasn't happy with it so I got a brand spanking new battery under warranty and it started perfectly. It's important to note that neither of these batteries were stock. Both were aftermarket
Old 06-25-2009 | 08:08 AM
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After a regular battery 'deep cycles' in this manner it often won't hold a full capacity charge, although on a meter it reads 12v. Instantaneous voltage level and capacity are two different things and you need both. That's why the "cold cranking amps" required to overcome the starter motor's "locked rotor" rating (electrical inertia) is significant.

Bring it to the 'zone or similar to get a capacity check on it.
Old 06-25-2009 | 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by RXTC
battery is good , lets just say nothing electrical works in the car except the gauges...no lights in or out, doors dont unlock or lock etc, no stereo, nothing, basically nothing works except the gauges
So your battery may not be good. How do you know its "good". Go buy a new battery and drop it in, see what happens. Worst case scenario, you return the battery.
Old 06-25-2009 | 10:05 AM
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Huey, good point. I had an idea that my old battery was past it even though the guy tried to convince me otherwise. I knew that if I got a new one it would work. Also the fact that I replaced my coils and plugs might have helped too
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