It has been really cold lately, below zero F. What would be the culprit if I have no juice, for lights interior/exterior, and the engine will not even turn over at all?

 

If it's really cold, it's most likely battery related. Most batteries, even when brand new and fully charged, do not like cold weather starts. If your battery is older, it makes cold starting even worse. I would recommend a battery charger, or at least getting a jump to get the car started, and when you have a chance, take it somewhere and have your battery tested. It may be time for a new one.

 

Thanks,
I actually put a charger on last night, and nothing happened. Maybe the charger wasn't working. When I turn the key half way and normally hear the fuel injection and the lights in the dash come on, nothing happens like there is NO power at all.

 

Have you tried jumping it? Try beeping the horn with the key turned on. Is it the normal sound? The horn will sound weak if the battery is low. It sure sounds like a low battery.

 

It could even be a completely dead battery if it's old enough and cold enough. I've seen that happen before. Especially if it's been below/at 0 for several days in a row.

My wife and I went away for the weekend last weekend, and our Subaru sat for Friday-Sunday in cold weather. I had to jump it Monday morning to get it started. If you have another car, I'd pull the battery and take it somewhere and get it tested.

 

I say dead battery also.

 

The average life span of an automotive battery (maintenance free type excluded) is somewhere between 3-5 years, depending on the brand & care.

I would stay away from cheap franchise shop batteries; I would go with the Interstate Battery.

Also, a battery with higher cold cranking amp works well in subzero climate but they have somewhat shorter life.


JPN

 

Thanks for all the replies. We got the car started. We increased the amps on the charger and it charged right up. The reason it probable died is because of the cold as you guys said, and they driver door has to be closed very firmly to get the interior light to go off. So if that light stayed on, and it was -10F that was why.
-Thanks