I've had my 89 camaro for 13 yrs and it's been garaged for the last 4 yrs. I go out and start it a few times a year and drive it a short distance. I have to hook it up to a charger on the start setting (300amps?) to get it to start. Then once it's started it'll stay running and drives, but when I shut it off it's dead and won't start... nothing when I turn the key. What could be the problem? The battery is 3-4 yrs old but I think when it was new it still had the same problem. I hope it's something simple, I just don't have much time to mess around with it and guess things

Thanks for any help!

 

It's your battery. You jump start the car, the alternator keeps everything running. With the battery not holding a charge, as soon as the alternator's charge goes away, there is nothing to start the car. Pull the battery, take it to autozone/sears/checker/advanced auto and have them test it.

 

could also be the alt if its shorted internally. just changed one like this on a friends car

 

Maybe, but if it is shorted internally, he'd get erratic readings on his gauge (it would be jumping up and down) or it would read low, like around 10-11 instead of 13-14.

 

My guess is it's the battery.