# '98 Sebring batter light came on. Turned off car. Won't turn back on

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-sebring-batter-light-came-on-turned-off-car-wont-turn-back-on/48116>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chrysler, batteries, sebring, lights\
**Created:** [April 29, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-sebring-batter-light-came-on-turned-off-car-wont-turn-back-on/48116 "2010-04-29T14:36:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mkpantazopoulos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@mkpantazopoulos](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mkpantazopoulos)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-sebring-batter-light-came-on-turned-off-car-wont-turn-back-on/48116/1 "2010-04-29T14:36:13Z")

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This morning while driving to work my batter light came on. I parked the car. Turned it off. Tried to turn it back on and got nothing. When I turn the key, there is not click, no rrr rrr rrr, no hum. The windows, radio, and lights don’t work. I have to manually lock the power locks.  
  
  
  
 Some details about the car:  
  
 Starter is less than 3 years old  
  
 Fuel pump is less than 3 years old  
  
 Batter is a good one and is less than 3 years old  
  
  
  
 What do you think?

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-sebring-batter-light-came-on-turned-off-car-wont-turn-back-on/48116/2 "2010-04-29T14:45:20Z")

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It doesn’t take long to drain a battery that’s no longer being charged. The battery light indicated no charging, so if you continued driving for a while the battery may be too weak to work anything.

Have you checked the battery cable connections? Maybe a cable came loose from the battery, which would explain the complete loss of electrical power.

Can you jump start it with another battery?

I suggest having both the battery and the alternator tested. Most parts stores will do this free.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-sebring-batter-light-came-on-turned-off-car-wont-turn-back-on/48116/3 "2010-04-29T15:28:32Z")

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“Batter is a good one and is less than 3 years old”

Hmmm…I don’t think that I would make pancakes with that batter.  
;-))

Seriously, however, mcparadise has provided a very good explanation.  
Most likely the alternator on this 12 year old car is no longer able to provide a sufficient charge for the battery, and as a result, that “less than 3 year old” battery is now dead.

But, if you are very lucky, it is possible that a bad connection at the battery or at the alternator is the problem. This requires checking by someone competent to go over the electrical system thoroughly. I suggest that you avoid all chain operations and have the car towed to an independent mechanic for evaluation.

It is possible that the battery can be resurrected with a slow charge, but don’t expect too much as it is possible that it is now beyond resurrection.