engine starting problems...
 

Ok, so I drove my car out to my mother in laws the other night and when I went back out to start it... nothing happened. The engine isn't even attempting to start.... the alternator is reading at full charge and the battery is reading at 12... but there is a lot of dimming going on so I'm not sure if that reading is correct... the battery is currently hooked up to a charger but nothing is happening there either... not even charging... checked the starter cleaned the battery connections... but still no response.... What do you guys think is going on? Is it possible that my battery is just dead?

If the voltmeter is only reading 12v, then the battery charge is low. A good battery will read up to 12.8 volts and the voltmeter should read at least 13.8+ when the engine is running and charging.

If electrical items are dimming when turned on, get the battery fully charged and clean all of the battery cable connections. Once it's started, if the voltmeter isn't showing 13+ volts, have the alternator tested. Check your belt tension while you're under the hood too.

My guess is your 7 doesn't like visiting the mother-in-law. :)

Battery is due for funeral services. But first make sure that the connections are clean on the posts and the cables. If those are good you can take the battery to the local auto parts store and have them test it.

If you have another battery from a different car that will fit in there and the cables will reach just swap them out and see if the car starts.

Ok guys... here's the update.... the battery connections have been thoroughly cleaned... took the battery up to autozone and the battery tested out perfectly fine... 12.8 .... but the car STILL won't start or even attempt to.... I don't know what the heck is going on ... it baffles me... any ideas?????

Do you hear a clicking sound when you turn the key to the start posistion or is there no sound?

no noise what so ever.... it's not doing anything...

Check and swap the middle fuseable link in the engine bay. The links are located near the driverside shock tower. The small lead from the positive battery cable will be going to the fusable link holders.

ok... new update... now it's making a clicking noise.... starter, perhaps??

checked it out.... everything is good...

Check the connections at the starter. And especially clean and inspect all grounds.

it was the starter

Was it just bad connections, or was the starter actually bad?