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The battery is good but the car is like there's no battery at all. No lights no nothing. Won't start, can't jump it. Got the car home on my trailer and later that night my son came home and said the lights are on. Sure enough the parking lights are on. Get inside the car put the key in the ignition and every thing goes black like before.

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There are a number of things to check here given the information that you provided, but here are some things that I would do first...

  1. Check battery voltage with a multimeter. While the car is off, it should be around 12.5-12.7 with the car off. If it is lower, it may be enough to power some lights, but not kick on the starter motor.

  2. Check your main fuses/relays. Perhaps the main alternator fuse is blown. Some cars use what is called a 'fusible link' on the alternator which is a thin wire that will burn out before damage is done to the components. Check your manual to see what is used and where it is located.

  3. Check your battery cables. If they're loose, the car's starting can be unpredictable (and dangerous due to sparks!). This may have even triggered the vehicle's antitheft system which would keep you from starting up, but I don't think it would kill everything in the car, so this isn't my first bet. If this is, however, the case, then you'll need to bring it to the stealership.

  4. I don't think this is the issue since the car cannot be jumped, but your alternator itself may be in bad shape as well. If you can get it to a shop, they can run a load test on the battery system and see if your alternator/battery is any good.

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  • Also clean the battery posts with a good hermaphroditic battery brush. I've seen post clamps so oxidized inside that no measurable voltage would pass, even when tightened nearly to the point of failure.
    – TDHofstetter
    Aug 21, 2014 at 13:37
  • I had battery checked cleaned post and cables and made sure i still had a good ground. Nothing changed still the same.
    – Rick
    Aug 21, 2014 at 14:22
  • K. Is the battery decent enough? Hang a multimeter directly on the battery posts and turn the key to "start". If battery voltage drops below about 9V, recharge or replace the battery. EDIT: If battery voltage stays up, track it to where it turns to nothing again - that's where the problem is.
    – TDHofstetter
    Aug 21, 2014 at 14:36
  • My 2006 Kia Spectra5 did the same thing today .It sat for 4 days went out and it started ran perfect. To it and had the alternator checked its fine. Drove it back home and turned it off and it started just like normal. Today my wife drove it ran fine . She went to leave unlocked the car with the keyless entry put the key in the ignition and bang every thing goes dead wouldnt do anything. So deadbthe keyless wouldnt even lock the doors.
    – Rick
    Aug 28, 2014 at 1:57
  • Did you check the wire that grounds the battery to the body of the car?
    – Sage
    Aug 28, 2014 at 14:51
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I have a very similar problem with my 2005 Kia Spectra5. However, I know the problem. The wire coming off the alternator to the fusible link is damaged. I need to replace it. Depending on the positioning of this wire, I may or may not get ANY power to my car. I'm going to replace this (hopefully today). As a side note, the fusible link is a likely candidate for your issue. I had to replace mine two months ago. I think it blew due to the damage of the wire leading to alternator.

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