Car won't start, dead battery?

[WestCoastSVX]

Tried to get my SVX out of my garage just now and the couldn't get it to start. Wondering if it is the battery.

Now this is the third time it has happened in three weeks, but this time I can't even get it jump started - it is stuck (at least it's in my garage).

First time it happened 3 weeks ago, but it had been dormant in the garage for over a month so I figured maybe that was why, although that wouldn't say much for the 2 year old Optima Red Top battery. I was able to jump start it right away and then let it run in the garage about 10 minutes. Couldn't drive it as the alternator/PS belt was shredded.

A couple weeks go by, and then the other day I changed the alt/PS belt. Went to start the car, and same thing. Took a bit longer to jump start it, but got it going. Took it out for a short drive and let it run quite a while before and after.

Now two days later, I go to start it up again and nothing. Tried jumping it and nothing, even after leaving the vehicles hooked up for 15 minutes before trying again. Help!

So is this the typical sign of a dead battery? As I said, it is a 2 year old Optima Red Top so I'd expect more life out of it. I don't think it is the starter, since I was able to jump it twice before (and the lights, auto seat belts, etc are all dim/sluggish).

To clarify, the car sat dormant in the garage between each of those intervals, so it's three times in a row it had to be jumped to be started. It has not started under it's own power since January.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[ensteele]

Sounds like the battery is fried.

[dannmarr]

A) Check the battery with a volt meter before and after you start the car.
B) Try switching the gear to neutral, then try starting it or try switching gears and return it back to park, then try starting it.

[It's Just Eric]

Ditto on the shifting. My car wouldnt start this morning. All the power was on, clearly the battery had juice, but the starter wasnt even clicking. Put my foot on the brake and shifted it down through the gears and back to park, started ight up. This happened to me once before, and its really no big deal
Hopefully thats your problem

[Electrophil]

If you have someone to help you, try the voltmeter with someone in the car trying to start it. Check to see if the voltage bottoms out.

[msvx95]

Coincidence? Mine acted up a couple times in the past two weeks. I drove it home from work and parked it to wash it. Went to start it up and nothing...All the dash lights were on as normal, but no clicking or anything upon turning the key all the way. I repeatedly turned the key 3-4 times and paused in between..still nothing.......the 5th time, it started up like normal....all the while I left the car in park.....Is this a starter issue???

[Earthworm]

Do you have a voltmeter to plug into the lighter socket to check the charging system?

[msvx95]

I've got a voltmeter, but not the lighter adapter socket on the meter