car wouldn't start

[raroZ28]

Don't know if it was from the cold or what. Turned the car on, radio came on, etc.. Went to crank it and it clicked and died. Battery type clicking sound. Then turned it to the "on" position and nothing came on. Took the key out for a minute, and put it back in, everything powered on. Went to crank it, same as before. Waited again, turned it, click click, then it cranked.

Any other car I'd say it's just the battery, or the cold weather (10 degrees), but my security light has been on for months. I didn't know if it had to do with that.

Any suggestions? I'm hoping it's just from the cold weather. I don't want 2 down cars

[TraceZ]

If the VATS system is faulty and preventing the vehicle from starting, then the starter wont even click. VATS disables the starter, fuel pump and spark.

I'm guessing your battery is shot. Get it jump-started and Pay close attention to the voltage to make sure it is charging and the alternator is not bad. If it is charging (>12v), replace the battery. If it is not charging replace the alternator. It is possible for a battery to crap-out in such an extreme way that it dead-shorts and will create such a draw on the car's electrical system that you won't even be able to jump start it.

Batterys are pretty cheap, if your is a few years old you might just be better off replacing it and going from there.

[raroZ28]

Battery is six months old. When I put the key in and turn the car "on," I read 13 volts or so, just like usual. It was almost like I had a bad connection. It's starting fine now though, haven't had a problem since this morning.

[raroZ28]

Update, bad news.

Went to start it up to leave work, and when I had the key turned it was just clicking, everything turning on and off, going in and out. It would start, volts would drop, car would die, then it finally started and stayed running. There's a short somewhere I think. I just think it's weird it happens on the first cold day I have ever tried starting it. Since I've brought it out it's been in the 50's and even 60 one day. Today it was 10... No way to know for sure until I check all the connections.

[alenstein]

I had similar symptoms when my starter was going out, and finaly went out.

[94 formula]

It may actually be caused by the cold weather. It definetly sounds like a short somewhere but I'd get the security light checked out. My would do what you described but the light would just randomly kick on then go out a few minutes later. It ended up leaving me sit a few times having to wait for the light to kick back on so I finally got tired of it and just disabled it using Tuner Cat and haven't had a problem since.

[raroZ28]

i just find it odd everything cuts in and out. Bad starter wouldn't cause that. Clock resets itself as well.

[Z Ya Later]

I had something similar when I lost the alternator and battery. Only difference was, mine didn't come back. Had to hook jumper cables up to it on my buddy's old 'Burban for an hour before it would start, and even then it only got a couple miles before it died again. Definitely check the charging system and make sure you've got a tow service handy until you fix the problem. Good luck man.

[TraceZ]

i just find it odd everything cuts in and out. Bad starter wouldn't cause that. Clock resets itself as well.

That makes me think it might be a loose battery cable. Make sure everything is tight.

[Disifer]

Had the same problem with my cutlass. Tightening the battery cables helped. Then i ran out of thread on the screws I had to jiggle it to get it to work. Even cleaned the terminals and everything. It especially like to do it in the cold/wet. Go to start everything comes on - click- all dark. Pop the hood and jiggle the ground with the key in "on" and all the lights would come on. Sometimes it would take 5 or 6 trips of running from my seat to the battery to get it to start.

[gimp19]

Try tightening the battery cables

[RocKin1967]

check the wiring on the starter, could be loose, that happened to me a couple of times

[smokeum99ta]

cold weather puts one hell of a strain on batteries. take it out ,charge it up,and get a load test done you might have to replace it .Or clean your terminals and try that. It sounds like a weak battery to me.

[ws6drbob]

Had the same problem when i bought my T/A. My problem was my cable going from the alternator to the battery was loose at the alternator. I would say check all connections and clean those terminals.