No start issue and while driving dash lights turned off

Tiny
DENISHA.JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 309,111 MILES
Start off with my dash lights going off while I was driving. I put the car in park and cut the car off try to crank it again and it wouldn’t start. I get a jump put the cables on the car and take them off the car cuts right back off. So I went and bought an alternator today and now I can’t get the key to turn in the ignition switch and the steering wheel is unlocked. I also bought a new key it still won’t turn. Please help. I don’t know what’s wrong.
Monday, December 30th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Sounds like the battery is dead. Without voltage, nothing will work. You will need to replace the battery. The alternator may have been the issue that failed the battery but the battery needs to provide power to the car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Roy
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
DENISHA.JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I got a jump the switch wasn’t off. I guess so when I turn switch off so battery could charge. The key won’t turn in ignition still. But I’ll check battery again.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Do not jump a dead battery. You could damage modules. Either charge it with a charger or replace it.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
DENISHA.JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay I’ll charge it. So would that be the reason the key won’t turn in ignition cause steering wheel is unlocked just key won’t do anything?
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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That is correct. Low voltage will cause this.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
DENISHA.JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay, I’m going to give it a try. Thank you! Be in touch.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
DENISHA.JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Battery charged key still won’t turn. As moves the battery I heard clicks on and off, but then the lights would cut off in car. I do not know if it’s a shortage somewhere or what.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 7:39 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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What is the voltage at the battery?

Roy
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
DENISHA.JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I do not know. I got it charged at the AutoZone overnight he said the battery was good. But as the guy was moving the battery around or touching. It is was like it was a shortage or some light would come on and off when I put the battery in. The alarm was sound so I cut it off but switch is still locked. I was also told if I get a new switch put in it would have to be programmed! Guess I’ll just put it in shop because I really don’t know what’s wrong. But one time my service light came on n said I needed camshaft or some was going bad. But it had went off after it got diagnose maybe that’s it. I do not know.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 8:19 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Make sure the cables that attach to the battery are clean and tight.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Roy
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
DENISHA.JORDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ugh, okay.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Keep me updated.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 9:04 AM

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