Mitsubishi: 2000 eclipse just won't start: no sound, no nothing

Have you tested the battery to make sure it isn't dead? Jump started maybe?
Do the dome lights come on when you open the door, or,if they do, do they go
out when you turn the key to "start"
Why do you think "It doesn't seem like a dead battery"

When you say "the buttons on the key also stopped working", does that mean
the red light on the fob doesn't come on when a key is pressed, or that
function doesn't work on the car.

At 4 years, your battery could very well be dead. But before we can help,
we need more details.







"00eclipse00" <com> wrote in message
news:talkaboutautos.com... 

A very quick and only mildly dangerous test for dead battery condition is to
brush a screwdriver or low-gauge (let's say 6 min. gauge across both
the positive and negative terminals of the battery) for a moment. If you
see a strong spark, the battery could well be good. No spark, dead battery!

If you know something about electrical/electronic systems, you can disconnect
it from your car, hook up an appropriate load, and use a multi-meter to
figure out whether it holds a charge or not.

If you have money, take the the car or have it towed to a good shop and
make them take responsibility for making things work right...

Regards,
Mark Gibson

Nirodac Yar <com> wrote: 
 
 






 



--
"Most Americans think their leaders should be held to a higher standard,
at least the penitentiary level."

And risk blowing the battery to pieces. Not recommended.
Take the battery out, take it to a battery shop and have it tested. Replace
battery if necessary. If you are transporting the battery anywhere make sure
you put it on plastic (bags etc). Don't take chances, car batteries contain
acid and will eat through clothes etc.

"Mark Gibson" <prairienet.org> wrote in message
news:cq0bk1$2u6$prairienet.org... 

This seems to be a hit and run post from the original poster. No feed back
from my other reponse to his original post.
But I do agree with Lugnut. Shorting the battery is a dump move. What
would happen if the screw driver fused (welded itself to the battery
terminals). While I've done this, I really don't recommend it, when I did
it, I was pretty sure the battery was dead.

"Lugnut" <com> wrote in message news:41c905ab$net.nz... 
Replace 
sure 
contain 
you 
they 
help, 
when 
there's 
may 
it's 

I do NOT do "hit and run posts". I know a lot about electrical/electronic/
computer engineering. Shorting out a car battery with a big (well shielded
plastic handle and preferably rubber gloves on hands) screwdriver will not
harm the tester. If a strong spark shows, then the battery is not dead.

Amused and disgusted,
Mark Gibson

Nirodac Yar <com> wrote: 
 



--
"Most Americans think their leaders should be held to a higher standard,
at least the penitentiary level."

"This seems to be a hit and run post from the original poster. No feed back
from my other response to his original post."

That comment was not indented for you, Mark, it was for "00eclipse00".
But that said, if I were inexperienced I wouldn't try the shorting trick on
the battery. You also left out the part of the insulation on your post. As
well, how is a novice supposed to know what a good spark is and what a bad
spark is.
If you were to try the screw driver trick on my truck battery, you'd end up
throwing the battery out. I clear coated the battery terminals with an
epoxy, flat, finish. Makes the terminals look nice and shiny all the time,
as well as insulates the lead, and you just about can't see the coating
(it's a collector vehicle).
I don't want to jump on your abilities, but as you said, it is mildly
dangerous, and in the hands of a novice it could be very dangerous.

Merry Christmas


"Mark Gibson" <prairienet.org> wrote in message
news:cqculi$qlv$prairienet.org... 
electrical/electronic/ 
shielded 
back 
did 
news:41c905ab$net.nz... 
is 
to 
and 
that 
that 
problem 
standard, 

Mark you may know something about computers but you appear to be absolutely
ignorant about lead/acid batteries and the dangers they can cause.
Car batteries generate hydrogen when being charged and discharged. You know,
the stuff that was inside the Hindenberg Zepplin balloon that exploded in
the 1930's. Believe me if a battery explodes a big screwdriver with a
plastic handle and a pair of rubber gloves will not save you, your face,
your eyes.......
As a mechanic I have seen the damage an exploding battery can cause from a
seconds stupidity. But don't believe me, have a look at the sites below.
Particularly have a look at the picture of the exploded battery on the first
link.
http://www.rayvaughan.com/battery_safety.htm
http://www.mvria.nsw.gov.au/media/med_hol_batteries.htm
http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?pg=dsm20020301bb
http://www.type2.com/library/electrip/battjump.htm

Lugnut


"Mark Gibson" <prairienet.org> wrote in message
news:cqculi$qlv$prairienet.org... 

Fair enough. I apologize for not going into more detail on the safety
issues. Messing around with anything capable of electrocuting you (although
a 120V A/C wall connection is far more likely to harm you than a 12V DC car
or truck battery) is a non-trivial thing to do. So, given your comments,
I would now recommend that a person with the car/truck problem described
find someone who is familiar and comfortable dealing with electrical
systems to figure things out. Many of them can be diagnosed and solved for
a lot less than what a shop will charge the owner of the vehicle.

Best regards,
Mark "will keep safety issues more in mind" Gibson

Nirodac Yar <com> wrote:
 
 
 

 



--
"Most Americans think their leaders should be held to a higher standard,
at least the penitentiary level."