I have a 2004 Saturn the I left sitting in the driveway for about 2 months while I used a different car. For the first month I started the car and ran it for a few minutes once a week, but just went out and tried to to start it today (to finally use it)after not starting it for 3 weeks and it won’t start. I was thinking the battery died but the radio/lights/etc still work and a jump didn’t help.
What else might be going on?
I guess I’m paranoid because I’ve already ruined one engine in my life and pray to god that I didn’t ruin another one!
Lights and radio working don’t mean the battery has enough power to start the car. You probably discharged the battery more starting the car the first month than running it afterwards recharged it.
Put a battery charger on it and let it charge for a while. If you must jump start it, put the cables on and let it charge for a minimum of ten minutes before trying to start it.
2 months isn’t bad for a car to sit. However, starting it and letting it run for a few minutes is bad. If your going to start up a car that has been sitting, you need to take it out and run it around. Get it good and warmed up, and I mean everything, like tires, brakes, trnsmission, wheel bearings, etc. Just letting it idle for a few minutes is not good for the engine or the rest of the car. And, it is not letting the battery completely recharge, as JayWB mentioned.
The best hing to do is to drive it around at least on a Saturday or Sunday every couple of weeks for at least a 10 mile continuous run. Once you get it started again, of course.
On that note, also check for corrosion around the battery cables.
Most likely the battery just needs a good charge. With most home chargers that may be 4-12 hours of charging to get it charged. Check the water before during and after charging. I assume that is the original battery, and it may now be beyond recharging, don’t feel bad five years is not bad for a battery.
In the future I would suggest just disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it only when you are really ready to drive it. If you want to keep it ready to drive with little notice, then you might want to leave it connected, but hook up that charger for an hour or two once a week or maybe buy a solar charger (assuming it is parked outside) and not worry.
Starting a car and running it for a few minutes one a week is really hard on the car, it would be much happier not being started. Not driving a car for two or three months is not hard on a car and other than the battery does not normally call for any special treatment. Long term storage (like six months or more) would call for fuel treatment and likely changing your insurance coverage so you are not paying for the expensive collusion part when you don't need it.