by ia2lyte » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:57 am
This sounds like your battery is low.
With a 2001 car, it's possible that the battery needs to be replaced, they typically do after three six years. it's also possible that the alternator is going bad and not charging the battery. You may have left a light on inside the car, and that ran the battery down.
The battery terminals may be dirty, or lose, and not be making good contact.
The starter may be going bad, and drawing too much power from the battery.
If you're trying to fix this yourself before taking it to a qualified mechanic, attempt the following, in order.
Check the battery terminal connections, be sure they're tight.
Loosen the battery terminals, and clean them, using either good emery paper or a wire bush. Clean the posts on the battery the same way. Replace and tighten the terminal connections.
If it isn't a sealed battery, check and fill the water level.
If the car still doesn't start, either charge the battery, or attempt a jump start. If the car starts with a charged battery, take the car and have the battery load tested. This should be inexpensive, most places will do it free to attempt to sell a battery. If the battery is weak, have it replaced.
If the car won't crank with a jump, it's most probably the starter, and the car will must be towed, unless it's a manual transmission that you may push start to a shop for fix.