Won't start...clicking?

[nmrspindoc]

Okay, my 2000 Impala, after being literally trouble-free for the past 4 years just today decided not to start.

I turn the key, and I get a clicking noise. Lights are dim (headlights, mirror lights, etc) and hazards are dim as well (I tried those later for fun).

The car went ape on me when I was trying to get it start. It made the clicking noise, and a thumping noise and the noise that the radio makes (the static like noise the radio makes when the car is first started, but much louder this time). It was like the car was possessed. I was alarmed, so I turned it off, and removed the key from the ignition, but it still continued. After about 30 seconds of my car flashing lights and all the above mentioned (the cd player kept cycling between asking me about a cd and playing the radio) the noise and lights died down and stopped.

I had my husband charge the battery for about an hour, but no joy. I also had him unplug it from the car for 30 minutes (my dad said to give it a try), but that didn't work either.

It went from fully functional to dead in a matter of about 20 hours. I was the last person to drive it, and it was fine.

Any ideas? I am worried its the stupid computer, since it doesn't appear to be the battery. Thanks for any help you can give.

[Richo Az]

I had the same problem a couple day ago. Bought a new battery and bingo. Back to perfect now.

[public]

Ditto. You are describing a dead battery.

[bermis519]

same thing happened to me, dealer told me the car wasn't getting enough juice so it makes the car go hay wire. He said it has just enough juice to make everything come on, then it shuts off because there isn't enough juice to keep running. It shuts on and off about 1 or 2 a second. Thats how fast it reacts. Throw in a battery and it's good as new.

mike

[net_kitten]

Im not a regular here but I really want to thank everyone that contributes here. Today Im having the same problem as described here. My husband looked and he said something about a plastic peice broke off at the battery terminal? Anyway, that was after I read this thread so it really helped point us in the right direction. Thanks again!

[victimizati0n]

Originally Posted by net_kitten

Im not a regular here but I really want to thank everyone that contributes here. Today Im having the same problem as described here. My husband looked and he said something about a plastic peice broke off at the battery terminal? Anyway, that was before I read this thread so it really helped point us in the right direction. Thanks again!

the plastic piece breaking off of your terminal has nothing to do with the problems described above.

the plastic is noly used so the battery doesnt short off of the metal in your engine bay.
if your having the same problems, your batt. is probably dead also.

[MCO_Death]

Batteries are good for only so long. I'm running off an original battery still in my 2000 Impala (with 166k miles). I really need to replace it because its not holding charges as well as it should anymore, leave a light or anything on for more than 15 min and you can't start up without a boost.

Anyone make use of those 'deep cycle' batteries they have like on 3800performance. I'm pondering purchasing one of those for my battery replacement.

[victimizati0n]

if you want a LONG lasting battery, get an optima.

2 times the price, but lasts 2 times longer.

[net_kitten]

Originally Posted by victimizati0n

the plastic piece breaking off of your terminal has nothing to do with the problems described above.

the plastic is noly used so the battery doesnt short off of the metal in your engine bay.
if your having the same problems, your batt. is probably dead also.

Perhaps I misunderstood what he told me, I just know that whatever happened with this plastic, caused the connection to the battery to be lost and it had to be replaced. Had I went out and looked I could describe it better but I didnt. From what I understood, it connects to the side of the battery itself and was completely busted out.
I had driven the car late the night before with no problems. When he went to leave the following day, went to turn on the car, there was a loud pop, the lights started flashing and a constant clicking. After seeing the broken part & replacing the battery, the car worked fine.

[MCO_Death]

Originally Posted by victimizati0n

if you want a LONG lasting battery, get an optima.

2 times the price, but lasts 2 times longer.

Looks like the Red top would work nicely =D