This morning I went out and tried to start my car, and it wouldn't start. The volt gauge in the dash was reading 8 volts, so I come back out 5 minutes later, and the volts come up to 12. I figured I don't want to drive it if there is something screwy, so I went and cleaned the battery terminals, which weren't bad at all. I checked the voltage on the dash gauge again, slowly crept up to 8 again. So then I pull out the volt-meter, and measure the battery voltage at the end of the screws and get 11.8-12 volts. So I'm guessing there is something wronge with the electrical system?? I have no idea where to start to try to find this problem. Anyone have any ideas?

 

What does the car do when actually try to start it? Does it click, or crank over at all, or absolutely nothing?

Also if you can, put your voltmeter leads on the batter terminals and if it will reach, lay your meter up by your windshield to where you can see it from inside the car and then try and start it. Watch what the voltmeter does. It sounds like it could just be your battery, but try this first.

 

Sounds like a dead battery.

 

It was the battery, but its less than 2 years old according to the date on the battery.

 

In my experience, any item that has anything to do with electricity dies when it feels like it.