The only thing that even seems to have any life is the bell saying the key is in the car and the door is open. There are no lights, no radio, no power, no starting, etc. The battery is brand new and has correct voltage. The negative and positive cables _look_ fine. Where do I begin? blah

 

Do the headlights or hazard lights work? If not, clean and tighten the battery terminals and the battery ground wire connection attached to the frame over the front passenger wheel in the engine bay.

 

No lights work at all, will check the battery ground wire connection

 

battery terminals are clean and tight

ground wire connection was fine and tight at both ends

 

Use a multimeter to test whether you read continuity to engine ground from the negative battery connector disconnected from the battery.

What voltage do you measure between the two battery posts versus the two battery terminal connectors attached to the battery?

 

have you done anything new to the car? changed any wires or added any new parts? does your car crank over but doesnt start?

 

If the ground wire tests fine and battery has proper voltage across the posts and connectors, then the hood fuse box may be bad.

 

Check your main fuses in the under hood fuse box. A short could have easily knocked a couple of your fuse out.

 

It has turned out to be a combination of bad battery cables (even though they were tight and visually looked fine) and the ignition switch apparently. The car now runs, starts right up, etc but idles weird. (The car set and hasn't been run since August 2009)

In Park or Neutral the idle goes back and forth between 1,000 rpm and 2,000 rpm continuously and doesn't ever neutralize. If the engine is completely cold it doesn't do this, only when warmed up. The car can still be driven this way at least, any ideas? No check engine lights or codes. I wonder if unhooking the battery to reset the computer would help it. I filled up the tank with fresh gas (super) and a bottle of super concentrated fuel injector cleaner.

 

possible iacv?