This has happend over the last couple of days...

Went to start her up and nothing. Put jumpers on her and she started right up right away. The next few times we started her she would make about three "zug, zug, zug" sounds then crank. Battery checks out fine (per battery check at Autozone). Runs normally once started.

Did a quick search and couldn't find anything exactly like this... Any ideas???

 

Sounds like a battery/connections issue to me. I'd check the voltage with a meter in the morning and ensure it's above 12V before starting. Did Autozone do a load test also? How old/what size? Should be a 690 CCA.

 

I did some trouble shooting tonight with a Volt Meter and I'm 95% sure it's the battery. Not sure what Autozone did, my girl took the car in, but I don't think the test was accurate. Will try and post w/ results when I have them. Thanks!

 

autozone battery test=crap. one way to check your alternator is to turn the engine on, and turn all electrical accessories off. check voltage. if the car runs at all, your voltage will be nice and high, at least 13.5V. then turn on everything you can think of (HVAC blower, defrost, headlights, fog lights, radio...) and check again. if your alternator is good, the voltage wont drop much. if its bad, it might drop as low as 8V. I diagnosed a bad alternator like that after the shop said it was good, changed my battery, and the car left me stranded again.

 

Despite Autozone's findings it turns out it was the battery. They didn't load test the battery and that was the reason it passed their test and failed my volt meter test.

Problem was twofold though. The positive battery cable is heavily corroded. I had to clean it up pretty good and it works now, but it is getting replaced tonight.

So... lesson here is to check the battery AND cable. In my case both needed to be replaced. I actually suspect the bad cable helped kill the battery. Thanks!