AgentMuldr

I have a 2008 ES 350 with 82,000 miles. I tried starting the car after my daughter couldnt get it started. It clicked 3 or 4 times and then went completely dead. I assume it was the battery so i called the auto club. While waiting for them i noticed the parking lights and left headlight were remained dimly on. My remote key wouldnt unlock the car. Auto Club couldnt get it to start when trying to jump start it. I had the lights in the off position with the door shut but the dash lights were on including the battery light and check engine light. I couldnt hardly push the brake down and the car is completely unresponsive. Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone experienced this?

peteharvey

Was the car purchased brand new?
If so, do you know if it has had one change of battery before? Because by 82,000 miles, it should be on its second battery.

Was there a voltage reading on a multi-meter?
Because if the voltage is too low, the car won't be able to jump start - if I'm not wrong.

Although the voltage is too low to jump start, the voltage may still be high enough for the instrument lights and the exterior lights to partially work.
.

AgentMuldr

Purchased the car used with 61,000, never changed battery before. I will take the battery out and down to Orielly auto parts to have the voltage checked. Thanks for the feedback.

chuyrobles

If the battery is completely dead, the jumping cables may not be thick enough to carry juice from another battery to start the car. I would throw in a battery from a working car. Car should start. Immediately check voltage at the alternator to see that it is putting out at least 13.5 volts. If not, alt is shot (voltage will drop as engine warms up and rpm decreases). If voltage is over 13.5, a new battery should solve the problem - you'll want to check the voltage levels weekly to make sure a shorted electronic component is not draining the battery.

Blue Moose Engineering

This is excellent advice. It's not always safe to assume that the battery just died. My experience is that the battery is the root cause approximately 50-60% of the time.

Beware of the parasitic drain