car trouble help

[Easy Mac]

ok, so the ole car wont start, so i thought i'd post here for help.

1. Nothing clicks when I turn the keys. It doesn't try to start up at all.
2. I cleaned the battery. Didn't help.
3. Theres a clicking noise when I don't try to turn on the car. What I mean is, when I'm just sitting in the car. I hear a Click..........Click....Click...... Click even before I put the keys in the ignition. When I turn the keys, the clicking stops.

I'm assuming my choices are dead battery, alternator, or starter. Any ideas here? Would I be able to get it jumped so I could drive it to the shop, or would I just have to get it towed? Everything is pretty much closed tonight.

Also, power locks do not work. Turning the key works the lock/unlock, but not the buttons. Only 2-3 lights on dashboard light up when I turn the keys, but no sound.

[bosshogg23]

You can get it jumped in that situation it sounds like. I would jump it, let it run off the other cars battery for at least 5 - 10 minutes. Try to drive it to a stop sign and see if it stalls. If it does then its going to be difficult to get it to a local mechanic.

I have found that if you press both gas/brake at stops the car generally wont stall(though its not good for your car).

Good luck, car trouble sucks.

[Logan]

I wish I knew even the slightest bit about cars. Good luck.

[Bubba Wheels]

Sounds like a starter problem. I think a new one goes for around $200 bucks before labor.

However, if its your fuel pump that runs something like $700 or more before labor. Good luck.

[mrsimperless]

First, check the battery to make sure it is ok. If you don't know how to do this you can take it to Autozone, etc. and they will test it for you.

If the battery turns out to be bad, then obviously replace it.

However, the clicking noise is troubling. You might have some sort of weird electrical problem or short that is causing your battery to drain. If this is the case then even a new battery won't fix the problem and will drain as well. (Although it should be able to hold a charge when not connected to the car.) If this is the case you will likely need to take it to a mechanic as these types of issues can be tricky to diagnose and isolate.

Good luck!