My car wont respond: Is it Battery??

I have a Hyundai Elatra 2000. It was running fine till
day before yesterday, and today it wont do anything.
Just nothing, its totally dead! I try the key lock, it
doesnt beep, I try starting it, nothing switches on the
dash board. I tried switching on the small lamps, they
wont even flicker!

My battery was not that bad till yesterday. The first
thought I have is to jumpstart it. I'll try it as
soon as I have a friend to volunteer (Which I dont right now).

Any other things that could go wrong?
If by any chance, the jumpstart works, do the gurus here
recommend that I replace my battery or should I keep using
the battery. (I dont want to get stuck anywhere! ) Luckily
this time its right here in my house, so not a big problem.

Thanks,
--Elijah

 

If it turns out to be the battery, replace it with an Optima Red Top.

 

Could be a number of things; check these first:

-Check the battery terminal connections (red and black, positive and ground)
for tightness and corrosion.

-Check the cable jackets (insulating covers) for wear and tear; if the
positive (red) cable is worn through, it could be grounding out somewhere
(this is not likely, scenario above more likely).

-Check the other end of the positive cable for a good connection at the
starter

-If the car jump starts easily, it's prolly the battery. If you have access
to a multimeter, set it to low DC voltage and check across the terminals of
the battery with the leads (with the car not running); it should show 12 to
13 volts. Anything less than 12 (or no reading at all) indicates a shot
battery. In your case, it may be a sudden failure of cell inside of the
battery, which would kill it suddenly as you describe. If you want to check
your alternator output, check the terminals again after you get it started;
voltage should be at 13-15 volts, with about 13.7 volts as average.
Anything less than 13 volts charging indicates a shot alternator---


Optima probably has the best battery around. Check the CCA rating (cold
cranking amps) of your old battery and make sure the new one meets or
exceeds this number. It will be on the label somewhere.

 

If it jumps and runs OK, it's probably the battery. had the same problem on
our 2000 Elantra about a month ago, so it looks like 3.5 years is about
normal for an Elantra battery.

Steve

 

Thanks to everyone. Anyone has any recommendations for a battery
charger of some sort for the elantra 2000 battery?

Thanks,
--Elijah

PS: I still havent got a chance to jumpstart it. But today
my locking system was "meow"-ing when I opened the door.
(It started making random low intensity noises now and then)
Nothing stopped it except when at least one door was open....

 

Its already 3 years old.

Futile to try to charge it.


The battery didnt get flattened due to leaving the head lights on - it
failed due to a stuctural problem in the cells.

Get a new battery. they come fully charged.

 

I just got a friend...
Who jumpstarted the car...

And the car is back to normal perfectly after driving it
for an hour. I was playing my radio and got an oil change,
went to the subway, and just returned...

Guess it was all my mistake, leaving something on and not
remembering....

But at least someone else who might find this thread
and who is in the same situation wouldnt buy a battery
before he gets a jump start

And I love my Hyundai for now

Best,
--Elijah

 

best thing you can do is stop at walmart k mart pep boys and have it
check
then you will not get stuck again
best not get jmped stared to many times
can make problems
get your slef a battery charger
20 or so bucks
with the cold wather coming on you never know when you will need it
better to spend 20 0r so then miss a days work
pailie

 

Better yet to buy a new battery instead. It may cost more than $20,
but if you battery is bad (and it sounds like it may be) then all the
chargers in the world won't help it hold a charge!