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Auto Service
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As a battery ages is losses it's ability to hold a charge, as a rule of thumb a battery will last about three to four years. If the battery is fairly new you will need to start the engine by jump starting or charging the battery using a battery charger. Once the engine is running test the alternator in the charging system. If the alternator fails the test replace the alternator with a new or rebuilt unit and re-test system, if the alternator tests ok proceed to the next step.
This first test is simple but you would be surprised at how many people simply leave there headlights on over night. If the battery is dead check the headlight control switch. If the switch is in the on position turn the switch off and jump start or charge the battery. The battery should re-gain it's state of charge after about 15 minuets of driving and your problem will solved. If headlight switch is off proceed to next step
Inspect the interior illumination lights (dome light) when all the doors are shut the interior lights should go off. If the lights stay on check the headlight interior light bypass switch located at the headlight switch. This switch is designed to illuminate the interior lights indefinitely when the doors are closed and is used when people are left inside the car and need light for a particular reason. To check the headlight interior light bypass switch turn the headlight control knob fully right then left, you should feel a small bump in the operation letting you know when the switch is activated. Deactivate the switch and re-test dome light operation. Some cars have a delay sentinel that will leave the interior light illuminated for a preset amount of time and is used for safety reasons. If this delay mechanism fails it can leave the interior light on draining the battery. If this is the case the interior light delay sentinel will need to be replaced. If all tests ok proceed to next step
Inspect the car stereo tape deck or CD player, sometimes a tape or CD will get stuck in the player either loading or ejecting causing the motor inside the tape deck to stop. This small motor can draw enough electrical power to drain the battery over night. If a tape or CD is stuck in the player try using a small flat bladed screw driver or small tweezers to remove the culprit. If the stuck tape or CD will not come out remove the player and disconnect the unit. Once the unit has been removed either replace the player or send it to a stereo repair shop and reinstall when repaired. If player tests ok proceed to next step
Inspect the glove box illumination light, in most cases this light is controlled by a small pin switch. If this switch malfunctions or is mal-adjusted it will allow the glove box light to stay on draining the battery down over night. To check for this condition look for the light inside the glove box through the small cracks in the glove box door. If this light is illuminated when the glove box door is shut replace or readjust the switch to operate properly and recheck light operation. If it tests ok proceed to next step
Inspect the trunk illumination light, in most cases this light is controlled by a small pin or a mercury level switch. To test the trunk light operation observe the light as you close the trunk lid, the light should go off when the trunk lid is nearly shut. If the light doesn't go off replace or readjust the switch and recheck operation. If it tests ok proceed to next step
Inspect the hood (covers the engine) illumination light, in most cases this light is controlled by a small pin or a mercury level switch. To test the hood light operation observe the light as you close the hood, the light should go off when the hood is nearly shut. If the light doesn't go off replace or readjust the switch and recheck operation. If it tests ok proceed to next step
Inspect the cigarette lighter in both front and rear passenger compartments, remove the lighter unit and look down inside the light socket. You are looking for debris that can cause an electrical draw like a penny or a gum wrapper. Anything that can cause an electrical draw will drain the battery power. If debris is found remove it with a small pair of tweezers. (note: sometimes when inserting tweezers or removing debris from the cigarette lighter a fuse can blow, if so replace the fuse with new after the debris has been removed) If the test is proceed to next step
Inspect the electric seat control switch, this switch can become sticky or weak allowing the switch to stay engaged forcing the seat motor to draw power from the battery until dead. To check for this condition check the operation of the seat control switch if it does not return the neutral position or is sticking in one position replace the switch with new and recheck. 
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