So I simply pulled the battery out to clean out the battery tray and fix a problem with the battery holders (the side eyelets are broken so i had to figure out a good way to secure the battery). Well the battery is now secured, but when I try to start the car, I get power to the dash , door beeps, etc. I even get a few clicks when turning the key. But after the clicks the lights fade and I get nothing. When I stop trying to start the car the dash lights slowly come back to normal.

What Newbie mistake did I just make?

 

Your battery seems weak.

Make sure your terminals are on tight and you have enough juice.

The clicking sound can happen from either of what i said.

 

I must be the n00biest of n00bs on this board. I am embarrassed to say that the postive terminal was WAY loose. I tightened both terminals and found I had about 4 full turns still left in the positive terminal.

I am sheepishly thanking you for your help!

 

im having the same problem--but its not the terminals
think its because my car has been sitting for over a yr
dfoster154: what kind of rims are on your 7?
pretty cool fool!

 

are you sure your battery has enough charge? could be weak after 1 year of sitting. I would throw on a battery charger for a while and then try again. If not it could be flooded.

I also hope that you had fuel stabilizer in there, or you might need new gasoline before pushing the car.

 

If the car has been sitting for a year, you might have more problems.

First i would put a fully charged battery in there. The last thing you want is the car to flood itself out because its not starting and doing nothing but cranking slow due to low volts.

Next i would try to put some fresh gas in there if you can.

 

If your car's been sitting for a year I would pull the fuel pump and EGI fuses. After that get the charger on or another car with jumper-cables to give it a charge. Crank the engine for 15-20 seconds to build up oil pressure (look at the gauge). After you have oil pressure put the fuses back in and prime the fuel pump via the key a couple times. After that your car should fire right up if you have enough CCA. If it cranks too slow take the battery out and charge it overnight on a low setting.

 

SunGod, They are Kazera KZ-As. Nice light weight rims, and they look dang good too!