If the battery is dead?

[Regulator75]

Would the stereo, windshield wipers and power seats still work? I think it's probably the starter, but who knows...

The engine will not fire at all. It makes a low noise then nothing happens when I attempt to start it. The battery symbol pops up as does the engine light.

It has about 100,000 Km and it's a 2001 Chevy Impala.

Anyone else ever had this type issue?

[blankall]

It's possible that the battery is not entirely dead or is no longer capable of reaching an adequate voltage to start the engine.

An easy way to test this theory is to have someone try to boot the battery. If that doesn't work you know it is probably something else.

[bradster57]

Give it a boost and it should at least try to turn over.

[kermitology]

I once returned from a month and a half away from home and forgot that I had to engage the clutch to start my car.

I went so far as to open the hood, at which point I shook my head thinking.. I don't know what the hell to do here.. and then closed it again.

[Locke]

In some newer cars you need a certain amount of juice to power the computer to send the signal to start the car, then you need still more to the starter to get her cranked. A battery might not have that much juice left but enough to still power all the other little stuff so it can happen.

Easy diagnosis would be to jump it and see what happens. Or...try making sure that all that stuff is turned off and then try starting it.

[burn_this_city]

Its probably the starter. If the battery was too low to fire it up you'd still hear it cranking weakly.

[Prototype]

That happens every so often with my vehicle. What it ends up being is just a collection of powder around one of the attachments where the cords connect to the battery.

Could be that, could be alternator, could be battery. I doubt your battery is shot if everything else is working.

[Regulator75]

I've also heard that boosting a frozen battery can be quite dangerous (Can explode). Don't know if that's true.

[aaronck]

if it makes a clicking sound instead of turning over-it's probably a dead battery or bad alternator not providing enough votage to recharge the battery-If you're an AMA member, I believe they have a free battery checking program for a free diagnosis.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Prototype

That happens every so often with my vehicle. What it ends up being is just a collection of powder around one of the attachments where the cords connect to the battery.

Could be that, could be alternator, could be battery. I doubt your battery is shot if everything else is working.

That would be my first check. Make sure your battery cable connections are tight to the posts and clean them if necessary. Also check that you have no broken belts.

[Barnes]

Yes. Take the battery cables off and clean the posts and connections with a wire brush. Take off your rings and watch off because you could arc the battery and weld yourself to the wrench or the car.

If that doesn't work, take the battery to Canadian tire and they will test it for free. If it's just a dead battery, the test actually charges it so you go home with a fully charged battery.

[Red_Baron]

If it's a 2001 and it's the original battery, it probably is toast.

[BlackArcher101]

If the stereo is working, and a voltmeter shows good voltage, and the car tries to turnover when starting, then the battery is probably shot and isn't putting out the amps you need anymore. You can get it load tested to check for sure.

If nothing works, the battery is dead or the connection to it is open somewhere. Could be caused by bad battery or bad alternator which let the battery go dead. Start with the battery... either replace it or get it load tested.

If interior lights work but when you try to start the car all you hear is a clicking sound, then the solenoid on the starter is probably shot. To try to get going, you can hit it with a hammer to get it to engange, but it will need to be fixed.

If your power issues are intermittent, such as the car has trouble only now and then or the interior lights flash, then the connection is loose. Start with the cables on the battery terminals.

IMO, it sounds like you have a dying/weak battery. Pull it, bring it to a battery place, have them load check and if bad, buy a new one right there.

[Nammer403]

check the fuses, my brother had an issue where his car wouldnt start but the power and everything worked we boosted it and still nothing turns out it was a fuse

[Regulator75]

We got it boosted by AMA and all is well. I'm going to replace the battery after Christmas.

Thanks everyone!