try it with a different car
The battery is probably not the problem, it may be the starter is bad.
What type of car. Some have a common thing that usually goes wrong. Fuel pump, fuse or relay, fuel filter, coil, pickup in the distributor, Igniter on Toyota's , timing belt, bad gas, fouled plugs, and a dozen other things.
That could be the alternator or the battery. Try jump starting your car with another car's battery. If it still does not start, it is probably the alternator. If it starts, your battery is dead.
If your 1996 Dodge Stratus wonÕt start you can try to jump start the car. There is no reset button like a computer. You can recharge your car battery with a jump start.
you can but it wont stay running if the battery is dead
car wont start cant jump start AT Check light comes on
Jump it, it will either start or it wont
Jump start car and ensure alternator and battery are good.
You may have overheated the engine or seized it.
bad battery or loose battery cable
Starter motor problems, charging system problems, wiring and connection problems between battery, alternator and starter. To many possiblities to list. If the battery is still charged and you need to jump the car to get it to start you have a bad starter. Now you say how can that be? it starts when its jumped? Correct the starter is drawing too much power"amps" and having a second battery "the jump" appx doubles the amount of amps to the starter allowing it to start. Replace the starter and problem will go away. Besides it wont take too long before a jump wont allow it to start.
you must have the wires on the wrong way.
Blown fuse.
even with the lights on, the battery may still be weak... try jump starting it, and see if it works...if not.. starter, ignition switch or other safety switch.. dave