98 Grand Voyager won't start(strange symptoms)

[idtem]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post.
We have a 98 Grand Voyager (81,000 miles) and I dropped it off to get an oil change this afternoon. I went to pick it up and it won't start. They say they didn't do anything but a courtsey check. Which part of that is testing the battery which tested good and I know is only 2 years old.
When I put the key in to start it, nothing happens. Not even a click, but the locks constantly lock and unlock , a/c lights blink on and off. The radio works and I have lights in the dash, but they may or may not read accurately.
When I replaced the battery 2 years ago something similar happened, but the van started. The a/c just quit after the battery replacement. I reset it by hold down the left top and bottom buttons. That did the trick then, but not now.
Has the computer freaked out? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim
[email protected]

UPDATE:
I disconnected the battery for 90 minutes and then tried to start. It would not start. Acted as if the battery was completely drained. I then jumped it with my car and it started and all worked as normal. Except those crazy a/c lights. I reset them and the a/c works fine.
I drove it home and then tried to restart it. It will not start without jumping it.
It gives a couple of clicks and then many small fast clicks. ??
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Tim
[email protected]

[RIP]

Starting after a jump is a sure sign of a weak battery or loose/corroded battery or starter connection. Get the battery charged then have a load test preformed. If you replace it under the warranty, I'm sure the store will insist on doing it to prove the battery is bad.

[idtem]

You are correct. I took the battery to the store and it tested out bad.
Such strange problems that a bad battery can cause. I was kind of shocked because it was a 6 year battery and it is only 2years and 3 months old.
Thanks for the advice. Now I should probably have the alternater tested to make sure that it is not going bad. I would think a light on the guages would come on, but maybe not. If an alternater is not working correctly, it has a possibility of not charging the battery? Does that mean it would run on the battery until it was depleted. I don't know if that could cause a battery to go bad though.
Thanks again.

[triplethreattt]

While returning from a trip several years ago, my entire instrument cluster went HAYWIRE...

radio played, AC blew, but the speed, tach, fuel, temp, etc...all started jumping around, and clicking like mad.

I figured it to be the Voltage Regulator, but it was the battery. Go figure!

Thanks for coming back and posting your resolution!

[RIP]

Just about every car made these days has a computer or two running things. These computers are sensative to weak power and power fluctuations. The battery is the source for that power. Its essential to keep it charged and all the connections in the circuit tight and clean.

Easy test for the alternator is to connect a voltmeter across the battery posts with the engine running. Should see at least 13.5 vdc. Shouldn't see more that 14.5 vdc. This proves the alternator is performing it's sole function in life, supplying enough voltage to charge the battery.

Glad to hear you had an easy and cheap fix. Cheers!

[webbch]

Yep, your first (unexpected) bad battery on a computerized vehicle is an eye-opener. I had the same experience earlier this year.

[idtem]

My alternator must be good because it tested out at 14.0 no load and 13.72 with a load. The strange thing is that the battery is pulling 6.11A with everything off, doors shut, etc. That must be why the battery ended after only 27 months.
Just wanted to say this is a great forum!!! Thank you for the help.

[RIP]

Good Lord! Are you sure you're getting 6+ amps. At that rate the battery should die in minutes. Could you mean 611 milliamps (.611 on the meter). Even that is way too high. Do you know how to troubleshoot it?