Rep Power: 0

Ok. So I've seen a few similar threads, but I haven't found anything exactly like my problem. Sorry if it's a repost.

Ok. Let me preface by saying that I bought the car (2002 EX) used in '03, without a keyless entry remote. So it may have one, but I've never had one in the 6 years I've had this car. Also, the oil is fairly recent. It's almost time for a change, but not quite yet.

Ok. So the other day my maintenance light came on. Ok. No big deal, probably just reminding me to take care of the oil or something...

That same day my car seems to have some trouble starting. Just kinda slow to start. I thought maybe my son (who likes to play with the dome lights) had left a light on when we went to the mall. Ok, so my battery will charge up on the ride home. No big deal.

So yesterday I go to leave in my car and the car won't start at all. I hear an incredibly rapid clicking (from behind the glove compartment), but the engine won't turn over. I keep trying for about 10 minutes, and then the engine finally turns, but it won't start. Keep trying and trying and it won't start. Finally, after I've already called my gramps to come and get me, it starts up, but all of my electronics have been reset. I drive to my gramps house, have some lunch and do his yardwork for him, and a few hours later my car starts right up and I drive home. Both times, however, my car's immobilizer light stayed on the entire time I was driving. I've had my SRS light on for the longest time, so this is only a minor annoyance, so I ignore it.

So I go to start the car this morning, and it's struggling to start again. I give it a little throttle and it starts. Sweet. I stop at the store on my way to work, hoping it's going to start well when I get to the store, but I had to give it gas again.

So, anyways, I'm not exactly sure what the issue is. I haven't gotten to test the battery, yet, but I'm beginning to suspect it may be on it's last leg, which would explain the reset stereo and the immobilizer light, as well as the initial trouble with the engine not turning.

However, that wouldn't explain why I would have to give the car gas to get it started.

I suppose it's possible, that by chance I managed to have two problems at once.

Any advice? I'm pretty good with pure motor stuff, but it's the electronic crap where I start screwing up.

 
Rep Power: 308

Pop the caps and check the fluid level of the battery. Check the battery connections for loose or corrosion on terminals. Throw a volt meter on when the car is running and check for it to be above 12 volts. Hook a charger to it over night and see how it acts when next started.