Im having a problem here just hoping someone could be of assistance. I have a 97 sc2 its been running like a champ just just reaching over 100k miles. The problem started yesterday morning. I went out to start it up in the morning to drive to work turned the key and nothing happens. I assumed it was a dead battery so i put a charger on the battery for about 5 hours on slow charge. went out to try it and still nothing. lights and everything dead. Eventually i got my parents over to give me a jump start only would crank 1 time lights worked when the cables were hooked up just wouldnt start up. After about 30 minutes of doin that we gave up on the idea and unhooked the cables. the lights and everything still dead. Im thinking the battery went bad over night but a few friends say it could be an alternator or my cpu or even some type of voltage regulator. I dont really feel like changing every part to find out what it is. What would you suggest the problem is? Thanks for taking you time to read this!

 

First check would be the battery cables for corrosion at the terminal posts and underneath the insulation next to the cable clamps. If there's any sign of corrosion the cable may be completely corroded, try removing the cable from the battery, negative first then positive, and examine them up close. Cut away some insulation if you have to and expose what's necessary, replace if in doubt. If you have a multimeter it will come into use very well here to measure the battery voltage and alternator output. The battery should read 12.5v, engine idling 13.7v, above idle 14.7v (give or take a few tenths of a volt for each measurement). The alternative would be to drive to Autozone or someplace that will perform a free battery/alternator test to give you an idea of which way to go. Put aside any ideas of cpu or voltage regulator problems as these components don't come into play when you're describing a starting problem of dead silence without the engine turning over.