The car will not start. It has plenty of battery volts but it does not make a sound when you turn the key.

First off, you will need both batteries connected for the amperage to be available to start a diesel. Secondly, when you turn the key, the vehicle will not crank over? Does it make any sound at all? DO the power door locks work with the key fob?

Sounds like a flat battery. Just enough to power your lights but not enough to power the starter motor. Try recharging the battery.and check battery connections are good.

U might have 12 volts but no cranking amps try a jump start

A battery can show 12 volts yet still be dead (not pushing any amps). Many battery places or auto parts store will do a free test.

have battery checked, sound like battery weak or battery cables loose or battery post and cables need cleaning has a lot of corrossion.make sure you turn off radio before disconnecting negative battery cable if you decide clean battery cables and battery post,reason for turning off radio to keep from locking out radio play code.have battery tested battery volts should be 12.6 volts.

Now you must check the starter. The large cable going to the starter supplies 12+ volts. The small wire supplies 12 volts when the key is turned to the start position. Using a volt meter or 12V test light check for voltage at the small wire when the key is turned to start. If 12 volts are now present and your engine grounds are good then the starter is bad. You can try to bamg on the starter with a broom stick while someone turns the key to start. sometimes this will get the starter moving again. but not for long. starter replacement will be required.

If 12 volts is not present at the small wire when turning the key then you may suspect a blown fuse, fusible link, bad starter relay, neutral or clutch safety switch, or faulty ignition switch.

If you have good voltage in the battery and a clicking sound ... either the start solenoid is faulty or the starter is faulty. You can check the start solenoid with a voltage meter. Place the probes one to the starter side of the solenoid the other to ground. Have someone turn the key. The battery side of the solenoid will always have 12 volts on it. The battery side should only have 12 volts when the solenoid is activated (you turned the key). If you get 12 volts on the start side, suspect the starter.

u for your question @ FixYa.com

Hello davidoz,

Your description sounds like a bad battery. Do you have a volt meter to watch the voltage as you turn the key to start? The voltage on a good battery( meaning fully charged) should stay about 11 volts while cranking, if it drops below that suspect a bad battery.

Another possibility is that the battery is good but the alternator is not charging.

Will it start with a jump? If is does check with a volt meter the out put of the alternator it should be 13.8 volts or slightly higher.

Regards,
netvan

If the battery tests that it is holding a charge and has plenty of volts to otherwise start the vehicle then I would be willing to bet that it is the starter. Try following the red or positive battery cable down to the starter. Have some one turn the key to the start position while you or someone else gently taps on the starter with a hammer to see if it is just stuck. If this does not work, i would take the starter out of the vehicle and take it to a parts store and have it tested before buying a new one.

that pretty much sounds like a bad battery, next time its jumped, autozone or any other shop like that will usually test the battery for free. if you have a volt meter, measure the voltage on the battery with the vehicle on and off. vehicle running should have about 14.4 volts, and off 12.6 at a full charge. if there is low voltage at the battery after a full charge, its most likely the battery.