Engine does not start

I am absolutely new and don't have much idea about cars. I drove back from work yesterday turned the ignition off. Everything seemed to be fine. I immediately tried to start the engine again and it wouldn't start. My door also wouldn't lock, the clock also didn't turn on. After an hour or so I tried restarting my clock turned on but the engine still does not start. I am not sure if a battery can just go dead within a minute or so.
I am not sure if it is the problem with the battery or some wiring.
Before getting my vehicle towed I want to troubleshoot it myself and see if anything helps.

Any inputs/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance.

Ummm...We can't exactly tell you what's wrong with your car unless you descrive some sounds that happen when you turn your key or stuff like that. ANYTHING WOULD BE HELPFULL.

I'm not experienced in fixing cars but I've been through some situations like that. Sometimes, if your Alternator fails, you won't even notice it but you will be running on your battery while driving and draining it out in the process. Thus, the combined low voltage of the failing alternator and the practically drained battery will get you home untill you turn off the car. Try testing the battery with a multimeter. It should read about 11.5 or above. anything below that can cause unlimited amounts of problems.

If you try to turn the key halfway to the "ON" position, a dead battery can cause flickering lights, items not to turn on, or the car ECU will keep restarting and dying while you hear a dying BEEP (Seatbelt warning sound) sound of your car trying to get into the ON position.

If the car makes a clicking sound while you try to turn on the car (Your starter relay will be clicking), then your starter could also be dead which will drain the battery if u try to start it. That's what people told me but I didn't believe it so I tried to boost the car anyways.

Try boosting your car but make sure to look at your car manual to see how to boost it. Some cars require u to put both ends of the cable to battery, and some require you to only attach one end to the batter and one to the engine. This is important so that you don't fry anything in there although 12v isn't much!

Check the battery terminals for corrosion or wiggle them to see if there loose

It sounds to me as if your battery is dead and the car was running on the alternator. As soon as you switched off the engine you stopped the alternator turning and thus providing power to run the electrics.

The suggestion of checking the battery with a meter is a good one, but don't do it a) when the engine is running - this will only show you the output of the alternator and b) for at least an hour after you turn the engine off. If the voltage reading is below 12 the it means that the battery isn't holding its charge and is officially dead!

Hope that helps.

Battery/alternator.

Battery/alternator.


:werd: Be sure to check voltage and connections


Jon