here's the deal
got the car 6 wks ago or so, been putting it together so i havn't been running it every day. went to start it other day, and battery was COMPLETLY DEAD (silence when i turned the key). was able to jump start it (so it's not the ignition/starter, let it run for a good 20 mins or so. Took my keys out. Put them in again 2 seconds later and tried to start and NOTHING (still silence when i turned the key).

All I can think of is either the alternator's dead or just a DEAD battery. How do I know which one it is?

no flames plz hahha, i really SHOULD know what's wrong....

 

try a new battery

 

Or try a voltmeter first...

It's probably a bad battery, but here's how to check. Measure voltage at the battery when the engine's running. It should be about 14v. Turn on the headlights & blower & rear defogger. If the alternator is good it should still be around 14v. If the alternator were bad, it probably wouldn't have kept running anyway...

Now turn off the engine, & quickly measure the battery voltage. It's gonna drop to about 12v or maybe 12.5v. pretty quickly. But over a few hours, or overnight, it should still be 12v. One way for a battery to go bad is it can discharge itself even if nothing's turned on. Then turn on the headlights, measure the voltage. It shouldn't drop more than maybe 0.5v with the headlights load. Another way for a battery to go bad is it can't support a load, even the headlights.

 

take it to sears or somthing and tell them to check it for you. its free so why not just let the pros check it this time?

 

either two of the above statements would be a good idea. Sears might be easier if you don't have the tools to do it yourself.

 

Seems like alot of us are having problems with starting the car lately. Its most likely your battery.

 

I had a problem similiar with this. Did everything from changing altenator, ignition switch, and starter. In the end nothing. The problem ended up being loose battery terminals, not on the battery, where the wire comes in to the terminal. Cheapest and easiest to try first and most of the time overlooked. If this doesn't work use altenator and battery suggestion.