Likely battery/alternator related. The car no longer does anything at all because your attempts to start it have completely depleted the battery. You can have it tested for free at auto stores to see if you need a replacement.
Car won't start, drove it to work 7 hours ago.
Hey guys, I'm absolutely terrible with cars and I was wondering if I might find some help here.
I have a 2011 Chevy Cruze 1.4 LT. I bought it used about 2 years ago, have had no problems/maintenance done on it. I did however just have my brakes and oil changed about a week ago by my bosses husband. Everyone around town seems to trust him so I did as well.
So I drove my car to work, worked my 7 hour shift, went to start it and I heard a series of muffled clicks as it tried to start the car. Crap, won't start. I keep trying and eventually I get to see a screen saying "service anti-theft system". I kept trying to get it to start as I read elsewhere that sometime you gotta get outta the car and retry.
After various attempts, experiencing different outcomes such as all the lights turning on briefly, or cd tray trying to read a cd. The lights no longer turn on, and I can't even lock/unlock my doors. I noticed that as I was locking the doors the "beep" sound it makes when you lock the car sounded muffled. Now it doesn't make any sound at all and I can't lock/unlock with my FOB.
the silver thing where you put the key in seems to be loose but I don't know if it's always like that or if it's actually loose. I can push it in by a quarter inch maybe half inch or so.
Is it just the battery? I've had it for 2 years, no idea how long that battery has been in it
I have a 2011 Chevy Cruze 1.4 LT. I bought it used about 2 years ago, have had no problems/maintenance done on it. I did however just have my brakes and oil changed about a week ago by my bosses husband. Everyone around town seems to trust him so I did as well.
So I drove my car to work, worked my 7 hour shift, went to start it and I heard a series of muffled clicks as it tried to start the car. Crap, won't start. I keep trying and eventually I get to see a screen saying "service anti-theft system". I kept trying to get it to start as I read elsewhere that sometime you gotta get outta the car and retry.
After various attempts, experiencing different outcomes such as all the lights turning on briefly, or cd tray trying to read a cd. The lights no longer turn on, and I can't even lock/unlock my doors. I noticed that as I was locking the doors the "beep" sound it makes when you lock the car sounded muffled. Now it doesn't make any sound at all and I can't lock/unlock with my FOB.
the silver thing where you put the key in seems to be loose but I don't know if it's always like that or if it's actually loose. I can push it in by a quarter inch maybe half inch or so.
Is it just the battery? I've had it for 2 years, no idea how long that battery has been in it
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Sorry if I'm not doing this right.
How should I get it there? I'm very bad with cars. Should I see if I can get someone to jump me and drive it there?
How do I know if it's alternator related?
How should I get it there? I'm very bad with cars. Should I see if I can get someone to jump me and drive it there?
How do I know if it's alternator related?
Also to boot it is just starting to get cold here in Minnesota
Welcome to the forum!
Sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing. Have you had the negative battery cable issue addressed?
http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-g...al-coverage-14311-negative-battery-cable.html
Also how old is the battery, is it the original battery? The battery should have a sticker on it that has the date it was made. Usually batteries only last 3-5 years.
Sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing. Have you had the negative battery cable issue addressed?
http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-g...al-coverage-14311-negative-battery-cable.html
Also how old is the battery, is it the original battery? The battery should have a sticker on it that has the date it was made. Usually batteries only last 3-5 years.
I haven't, I'm not sure if that's the issue. The battery is at least 2 years old, as I've had it for that long and I haven't had a new one installed.Welcome to the forum!
Sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing. Have you had the negative battery cable issue addressed?
http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-g...al-coverage-14311-negative-battery-cable.html
Also how old is the battery, is it the original battery? The battery should have a sticker on it that has the date it was made. Usually batteries only last 3-5 years.
How would I go about getting it to a dealership to get it checked out if I can't start it?
If it is indeed just a bad battery which is often the case, you can try jump starting it for sure.I haven't, I'm not sure if that's the issue. The battery is at least 2 years old, as I've had it for that long and I haven't had a new one installed.
How would I go about getting it to a dealership to get it checked out if I can't start it?
For safest results:
1) Red+ on dead battery
2) Red+ on good battery
3) Black- on good battery
4) Black- on dead battery or chassis grounding point
5) Start the car with the good battery and wait a few minutes
6) Start the car with the bad battery
7) Disconnect cables in reverse order (steps 4-1)
Be extra cautious when handling the cables and ensure that the red and black wires do not touch each other. Also be sure the battery terminals aren't corroded or covered in a white/greenish dried powder. Make sure the jumper cables have good contact with the battery terminals or the terminal ring.
When you're jump starting the car try and look for a date code sticker on the battery. If it's more than 4 years old, I'd replace it. If the battery doesn't solve your issue, then you may be experiencing symptoms of a bad negative cable connection. Worse case scenario, you're not able to get the car started, and it has to be towed to the dealer so they can fix the cable free of charge, the tow will be at your expense though.
Note: This is just a good place to start. I can't guarantee this will fix the issue but after spending a lot of time reading through these forums, these seem to be the most logical problems for the symptoms you're describing, either dead battery or bad negative cable crimp, or both.
Alright guys thanks for all the help I'll fill y'all in on the past couple hours.If it is indeed just a bad battery which is often the case, you can try jump starting it for sure.
For safest results:
1) Red+ on dead battery
2) Red+ on good battery
3) Black- on good battery
4) Black- on dead battery or chassis grounding point
5) Start the car with the good battery and wait a few minutes
6) Start the car with the bad battery
7) Disconnect cables in reverse order (steps 4-1)
Be extra cautious when handling the cables and ensure that the red and black wires do not touch each other. Also be sure the battery terminals aren't corroded or covered in a white/greenish dried powder. Make sure the jumper cables have good contact with the battery terminals or the terminal ring.
When you're jump starting the car try and look for a date code sticker on the battery. If it's more than 4 years old, I'd replace it. If the battery doesn't solve your issue, then you may be experiencing symptoms of a bad negative cable connection. Worse case scenario, you're not able to get the car started, and it has to be towed to the dealer so they can fix the cable free of charge, the tow will be at your expense though.
Note: This is just a good place to start. I can't guarantee this will fix the issue but after spending a lot of time reading through these forums, these seem to be the most logical problems for the symptoms you're describing, either dead battery or bad negative cable crimp, or both.
Ended up walking back to my car to see if I could try something different, stuck my key in the ignition and it wouldn't come back out. So I called the local cop and he had a sheriff come check things out. He jumped my car and it started right up. Checked the voltage as I was driving and it was getting 15.0-15.1 consistently.
I heard that short trips will drain a battery fast. Well all I've been doing the past 4-5 months has been literally a <1-2 minute drive to work each day. SO I drove it about 10 miles to give it a decent charge. Should I drive it more to charge it more or should that be sufficient?
If there’s an all-night auto parts store nearby, drive there and have the battery replaced. Otherwise since it’s very late (early in a.m. there) get home and park where it’s accessible for another jump start later if needed.Alright guys thanks for all the help I'll fill y'all in on the past couple hours.
Ended up walking back to my car to see if I could try something different, stuck my key in the ignition and it wouldn't come back out. So I called the local cop and he had a sheriff come check things out. He jumped my car and it started right up. Checked the voltage as I was driving and it was getting 15.0-15.1 consistently.
I heard that short trips will drain a battery fast. Well all I've been doing the past 4-5 months has been literally a <1-2 minute drive to work each day. SO I drove it about 10 miles to give it a decent charge. Should I drive it more to charge it more or should that be sufficient?
No guarantee it will start again in the morning. If it doesn’t start, you can join Auto Club (AAA) and have them come out to provide a jump start or bring a new battery or tow you to a dealership/auto parts store.
Like previously stated, no guarantees the new battery will be the final solution but it’s pretty likely the issue based on what you’ve related thus far.
Given that it's a 2011, I highly doubt it the original battery. But after 6 years, it's about time for the replacement to go.Also how old is the battery, is it the original battery? The battery should have a sticker on it that has the date it was made. Usually batteries only last 3-5 years.
I'd like to add that many auto parts stores test your battery for free. You could take it to an O'Reilly auto parts or your preferred place and have them test the battery to be sure if it needs replacement or not.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
To add to what Spoolin6Spd said, bring it to somewhere that will actually test not just the battery, but the entire charging system. The only place that comes to mind is Sears, but I know there are others. I would suggest you have someone else drive a second vehicle and bring a set of cables as well. I say that because it is possible that the vehicle may not start again and if you don't like either the service or the quoted price, your stuck.
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