I went to pick up my car from my sister in laws and went to start it and I heard nothing but clicking. The lights went out when i tried starting it. I turned on the headlights and they were really dim. Is this a bad battery or what? Need help. By the way, its a 2003 cavalier.
2007-11-10 12:03:15 · 18 answers · asked by bud73_1999 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
yup, try a jump start, or a new battery
2007-11-10 12:06:09 · answer #1 · answered by deejayspop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well First how long did the vehicle sit? My forst plan would be clean any and all corrosion from the battery Clamps and posts make sure you have no grease or dirt between the clamp and post of the battery. On those side post batteries if you peel back the rubber cover and push out th bolt after you safely remove the negative battery cable from the battery that is. You will find most timesa build up of corrosion you must scrape this off the cable and the bolt till you get to clean metal. Do this to both the negative and the positive cables if the battery bolts are too bad just buy new side post battery bolts from a parts store and replace them, Charge the battery and you should be good I have seen many starters and alternators and yes batteries replaced because noone (even auto shop mechanics) that failed to thouroughly check for the corrosion under the battery bolt on these batteries save yourself some money but take the time to do as I say please.
If you have a Question please feel free to call me 253-235-0057 I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
You May need a battery BUT even if you put in a new battery and the cables are all corroded it still wont start. Save your hard earned money
2007-11-10 12:26:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
batteries have an expiration date. beyond that, the company cant guarantee how long the battery will last. after all, it is a 2003 model and 4-5 years is quite long already for a batt's life.
Or probably somebody just used your car and left the lights switched on.
But if the batt's new, something's wrong with your car's electrical like the alternator (it could be that its not supplying enough power for the whole car and the batt gets drained in the process).
2007-11-10 12:13:02 · answer #3 · answered by Ian M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you either have a very dead battery or a really bad connection on it,the alternator can also go bad and cause the Battery to drain its self of all power,you can get it boosted off then take and charge the battery real good and id have the battery checked to see if its any good,this could just be a battery gone bad from age,or use,any parts store can and will check this for you,and let you know if it is the battery,good luck on it.
2007-11-10 12:25:31 · answer #4 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dead battery.
Have the charging system checked first and then the battery after you get it jumped.She may have left the lights on or something, or the battery may just be goingout.If it is 3 yrs or older thats likely the problem if it isnt the alternator.
2007-11-10 13:31:19 · answer #5 · answered by Joe F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible the battery is bad but try charging it overnight or if you have a way to hook jumper cables up to it leave the cables hooked up for 5-10 min this will charge the battery some also. then drive it for a while take the kids to sonic or drag main a few times. it is possible somthing was left on and just ran your battery down. just try to charge the battery. if you live close to any big auto parts store most of them will test your battery free. just dont rule out that something could have ran it down either key left on dome light ect....
2007-11-10 12:14:28 · answer #6 · answered by Michael & Angel A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, that's a dead battery. The battery isn't strong enough to turn the engine over. Some people will tell you that this isn't a dead battery, but a bad starter. They are wrong, because this is how newer cars (since the late 80's) work.
2007-11-10 12:07:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's probably bad from sitting. I'd charge it, and let it run for a bit and let it build back up a charge. Sometimes batteries go bad when they're not used. You might just want to replace it if it's been sitting for a long period of time, but give it a shot, charge it and see what happens, but that is normal. Good luck
2007-11-10 12:06:56 · answer #8 · answered by firefly_eyes75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's either battery dead, or loose connections to the battery. If the battery IS dead, make sure you check the alternator, it could be the battery is fine but isn't being charged. Get it jumped and drive it directly to your mechanic to be checked out.
2007-11-10 12:07:08 · answer #9 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, Dead Battery.
2007-11-10 12:06:21 · answer #10 · answered by GoodGuy53 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well there could be 2 possible issues with your vehicle. One would be the battery. Trying jumping it. Secondly, it could be the alternator. Or 3 the starter went bad. (Doubt it) Call AAA or a tow service. They probably tell you the same thing.
2007-11-10 12:09:41 · answer #11 · answered by tiki_bo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋