If my car won't start and nothing comes on when I turn the key is it my battery or something more serious?

Answer 1

If you turn the key and nothing happens, the most likely problem is a dead battery. Get someone to give you a jump-start, then drive your car on the freeway for 30-40 minutes to charge your battery back up. That should do the trick. If it happens again after that, take the battery to AutoZone or Pep Boys and have it tested. If it's bad, replace it. If not, make sure the battery terminals are clean and the cells are all full of water (use distilled water for the battery cells, and you can clean the terminals with an old toothbrush, baking soda, and a little water). Then get someone to give you a jump again and charge the battery back up. If it STILL gives you grief, you have something draining the battery -- take it to a mechanic that gives free estimates.

Answer 2

Prob. the battery.. some questions to ask yourself

1) When it fails to crank over.. pull on the headlights and step out side (daytime) to see if they are on. If they are not then, before you do anything else check all your switches and knobs to see if you left anything on (don't forget the cig. lighter /acc. outlets).

2) If the lights DO come on, watch them while you turn the key. If they dim out - its the battery - check the same things as noted above)

3) If nothing is on get a jump ... does it start now? If so then get the battery charged (a 10 or 15 minute drive should do most of that). If not then you have other problems.

4) After charging, try it again later that day. If it is low (use the headlight trick), you either have something stuck 'on' with a slow discharge rate or you have a bad battery (most likely). Batteries are good for about 5 years max. After that its borrowed time.

Disconnect your battery and take it in to Kragen or Auto Zone or a place like that. They will test it for free.

good luck

Answer 3

Has the car been left standing unused for several weeks? Did you leave the inside light or radio on? Those sort of things will completely discharge the battery.
If not, remove the connections on the battery terminals, then clean both the terminals of the battery and inside the connectors. Smear all cleaned surfaces with petroleum jelly ("Vaseline" or similar) and reconnect. If the inside light comes on with the door open this should have solved the problem.
Try connecting a battery charger and leave on overnight.
Try jump-starting the car from a friend's car with those heavy-duty leads.
Try bump-starting the car if you have parked on a slope, or have a couple of strong guys to push it.
Try tow-starting the car if you have a tow-rope but no jump-leads.
Once started, running the engine for a few minutes (start your journey rather than being parked) will charge up the battery. If the problem re-occurs, then consider changing the battery!

Answer 4

it's most likely the battery.Disconnect your battery,clean the contact. Connect cable and give you a jump-start. must working. Change battery

Answer 5

If nothing electrical comes on, radio, lights, etc., it's most likely the battery. Get it tested and replaced if necessary. Anywhere you buy batteries should also be able to test them.

Answer 6

Sounds like the battery, jump it.

Answer 7

if nothing electric comes on then it is your battery check the cables or take it to a autozone and have it tested.

Answer 8

check the cable connections on battery also

Answer 9

It probly is your battery and check all your fluids and check your trans mission

Answer 10

sounds like you need a new battery.something simpler 1st,check fuses