92purplehaze

iTrader: (8)

got in everything goes on like usual (dome light radio infl rst etc) go to turn it on CLICK everything shuts off. Its holding an extremely weak charge just enough for the dome light to be barely lit and a weak alarm. Every thing powers back up when I hook up a jump to it, but wont turn over, it just gives a series of rapid clicks. take off the jumps everything turns off.... any ideas... short? fusible link? someone give me an idea where to look for shorts or location of a fusible link

BlkBird408

Have you checked to be sure battery cables are tight and not corroded? Might try getting the battery tested for a bad cell. My car did this exact thing recently and it was a bad cell in my battery.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

I agree, make sure the terminals are not corroded and if that does not work get the battery tested. I would bet you probably have a bad cell though.

JAy

ChoobinatoR

Sounds exactly like the starter solenoid has enough power to pull but not hold in, this with the dim lights, you gotta bad battery for sure man. Well maybe not bad, but it's definently dead. Use a volt meter on it if you got one, parasitic draw [check for amps with ignition off/all lights off], or a problem in the charging/starting circuit is at fault here. Good luck.

5678TA

dead battery and/or bad alternator.. get the alternator checked.. and corrosion like the others said..

zcarz

Battery is the most likely problem. When you try jumping it make sure you are using heavy enough jump leads and hook the negative lead to the chassis or engine on your car, not the negative terminal on the battery. A dead cell in your battery will absorb a large portion of the jump battery's charge and may not allow enough charge to start your car. A battery shop can check for a dead cell in a few minutes and usually at no charge.

Supervisor42

That's always the engine, never the chassis or negative battery terminal.
If your jumper cables are good and the battery is bad, or the negative cable is loose on the block, you will smoke the frame ground straps shown here. Ask me how I know...

92purplehaze

iTrader: (8)

thanks guys.... ill check it out. Battery is new (11/06) but I kinda had a feeling it was toast.

92purplehaze

iTrader: (8)

yup its dead

ChoobinatoR

New battery that went dead? Did you find out the source of the problem? Usually a dead battery is a symptom of something else...

90IROCJustin

you should check all your wires and your starter too

raven0840

In diagnosing a "bad" starter (turns out it was a loose battery connector), I heard that if the starter solenoid goes bad, it'll click but not crank. One recommended temporary fix was to tap the starter. Supposedly, this would bring the brushes in the solenoid in better contact and you'd get another start, maybe two out of the starter. Also, when you're testing stuff, be sure to check BOTH current and voltage. This is why I didn't realize the loose battery terminal. The bad connection still delivered 12v to the starter, but insufficient current to crank the motor. Certainly not the opinion of an experienced mechanic but it would seem to make sense.