I just came back from a trip and haven't driven my TL in about 3 weeks when I got back and tried to start it, it would not start. I tried to jump it with my other car and that didn't work either. Could it be that I just need to replace the battery or is it the alternator? Maybe something else?

 

If you jumped it from another car, you should have had enough juice. You can't check the alternator on the car unless you get it running, but you can check your battery with a simple volt-meter. Have you tried using starting fluid? If it doesnt start with starter fluid and a jump, you may want to have a shop look at it or check the compression.

 

check battery first. If it's dead, it's dead and even a jump won't help= need a new battery.

 

 

Stick your battery on a charger over night and see if it will take a charge. If not get a new battery.

 

If you have a voltmeter, your battery should read in the 12v range with no load on it. If it doesn't, replace it.

 

Battery voltage, no load,@80deg.F., (27 degC.)
12.60v to 12.72V =100% charge
12.45 = 75%
12.30 = 50%
12.15 = 25%

 

After I took out the battery and replaced it with the new one i set it in the trunk of my brand new Suburban just to find out it was leaking. My trunk mat is fucked.

 

Just to be Captain Obvious:
- a cardboard box lined with plastic is a good way to transport batteries and anything that will trash your carpet. Bleach, pool chemicals, fresh or used bottles of oil....

 

The new battery did fix the TL probs right? and sorry about your carpet- guess how I know to use a box- now

 

Battery fixed everything, but next time I'll know how to transport it.

 

Hey I had the same problem and I'm going to get a new battery tomorrow the exact same scenario I haven't started my car in over 2 weeks and they came back and it won't start and not even to jump battery must be toast huh