Q: I think my car battery died, but im not sure.

asked by on January 18, 2017

I broke my alarm clicker on my key ring so i have to use the kill switch under the wheel to turn it off. Well, when i did it this time, it sounded like it lost power & nothing will come on. Can you help me out?

Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. It seems that the security system has came on and lock out your vehicle from starting. If you open the door and the dome light comes on with a good solid light and the headlights work, then the security is active. You can remove the battery cables and let the computer (ECM) reset itself every time this happens. I recommend getting the key fob fixed to disarm the alarm when opening your vehicle. If you need further assistance with your no start issue, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I resume the cruise control speed?
When you depress the brake pedal, or the clutch pedal (if you have a manual transmission), the cruise control will stop working, granting you full power of the vehicle. To resume the cruise control speed that you had previously been...
Car humming when turning or driving
Hi there. The difficulty in starting your vehicle maybe from a worn out timing chain/belt. Also, the difficulty in turning your steering wheel may be due to a failure in your power steering system. The humming noise while driving can...
Car radio randomly turns off by itself
Great question. A battery cell problem can't cause the radio to develop a problem, but a radio issue can certainly kill the battery. It sounds like your Sonic has something called parasitic battery drain. The radio may have been part...
I have a check engine light on due to the catalytic converter. Can I still drive?
Hi, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to offer my insight about your catalytic converter warning light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-the-catalytic-converter-warning-light-mean-by-spencer-cates). The catalytic converter as you may know is what converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful materials to be expelled into...
Oil is leaking onto the spark plugs
Oil on the spark plugs can come from a failed seal, or it can come from a failed valve cover gasket (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/valve-cover-gasket-replacement). The spark plug well seals you are referring to can be changed. It is a slightly lengthy process...
Radiator is leaking - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
This is definitely a sign of a leak in your coolant system. There are many different places the coolant may be leaking (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-diagnose-a-fluid-leak-by-mark-vallet) from. There are various hoses that circulate the coolant through the radiator and motor and these are...
Car starts, shakes then Dies out within seconds!
Hi there. The dreaded rotten egg smell is caused by either a clutch that is damaged or the catalytic converter that needs to be replaced. I would recommend before you take your car to any repair facility or attempt any...
Defroster works - hot or cold air depending on what temperature you have it on, but not vent or heat. 2011 Ford Edge
Hello - your symptoms suggest that the HVAC blower motor resistor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-good-quality-heater-blower-motor-resistor) has failed. The blower motor resistor limits fan motor speed for the Low and Medium settings, but is not involved at the Max setting. Since defrost on most...
I have a 02 Tahoe four wheel drive. How many u-joints are on it?
Hi there. There is a total of 9 universal joints on your vehicle. The universal joints are in the following locations: Universal Joint Locations 2 on the rear driveshaft, 1 on the differential and 1 on the output shaft to...

Related articles

All About Car Battery Chargers
Everyone Everyone has experienced a dead car battery from time to time. It’s common occurance, especially in winter, when batteries have to work even harder to get you to where you want to go. Fortunately, there’s a solution. A portable...
How to Diagnose a Car Battery Drain
It It is safe to say that every car owner reading this has likely experienced that time where you were leaving your home or walking out to your sitting car, only to discover that the battery in your car was...
Top Automotive News & Stories: August 13-19
This week's top auto news: Self driving Ford, Volkswagen security hack, sleek Mercedes-Maybach concept, Audi green light countdown, and more.