Im having a problem here just hoping someone could be of assistance. I have a 97 sc2 its been running like a champ just just reaching over 100k miles. The problem started yesterday morning. I went out to start it up in the morning to drive to work turned the key and nothing happens. I assumed it was a dead battery so i put a charger on the battery for about 5 hours on slow charge. went out to try it and still nothing. lights and everything dead. Eventually i got my parents over to give me a jump start only would crank 1 time lights worked when the cables were hooked up just wouldnt start up. After about 30 minutes of doin that we gave up on the idea and unhooked the cables. the lights and everything still dead. Im thinking the battery went bad over night but a few friends say it could be an alternator or my cpu or even some type of voltage regulator. I dont really feel like changing every part to find out what it is. What would you suggest the problem is? Thanks for taking you time to read this!

Sounds like your battery is bad .How old is it.When a battery gets old enough it will not take a charge anymore.Sounds like the problem you are experiencing.The resting voltage of a good battery is around 12.5 volts.The voltage output of a good alternator is around 13.5 to 14.5 volts.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/richpin06a/12.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/richpin06a/14.jpg

I seriously doubt its the alternator cuz that has practically NOTHING to do with starting the vehicle. If the battery light came on (indicates that it isn't being charged) the last time you drove the car then this is possible, but i'm sure you would've remembered that and posted it. Even then(unless it's really really old) there would most likely still be some juice left and probably start clicking when starting or something. Battery could be gone, loose connection(s) somewhere, or could be starter issues. First thing though, check ALL fuses, just to make sure. Best way to know if its the battery is to have the battery tested by someone or get a multimeter and test yourself.

mine used to do that. it might be your starter

My cavalier did that once. I turned the key and the car just died. No lights, no ignition, no anything. Turned out to be a bad ground connection. I unbolted it from the frame and polished everything up with a dremel. Might want to look into that. It would explain why the lights worked when jumped, but not otherwise.