Hi,
I have a 1998 Jimmy (Automatic), they battery died over the winter, this is my girls car and she doesn't have her license yet. The battery was dead for about 2 Months maybe more. We didn't know if was dead because she misplaced the keys.
Well we couldn't find the keys so we had the dealer make a new set. That set only worked in opening the door. It would not turn the ignition.
A locksmith finally made a key that fit in the ignition. We could not turn over the car once the key was put in due to the dead battery. Also, they key would not return to OFF, it would stay in accessory setting. This was a little strange, but safe since we knew the car wasn't going anywhere fast.
We tired to jump-start the car with varied success. About 5 times we got the engine to turn over (Start fired and attempted to start the engine). Doesn't seem like there was gas as it would not run. After that, if we were lucky we could see a light or two on the dashboard. We swapped out the battery with a new one, not sure if the battery came charged, but didn't do at thing. There is some current passing from the good car to the Jimmy, (mild spark, also, battery charger shows about 2 -4 amps draw). Although, no lights come on the dash or any other visible life in the vehicle. We did manage to get the key out a few times when the charger was connected (maybe a solinoid or something stopped that from rotating back to OFF. The break peddle has a lot of resistance, it was a little movable as we tried turning over the engine. Also, the automatic transmission is locked into PARK, cannot move it at all (I figure that will move when the car starts...)
Okay, any ideas? I read something in the user manual that if the key is bad the fuel pump will not function which may explain the engine not starting on the initial jump attempts. But now the key is stuck in the ignition again, and there is no life during a jump or while on a charger. I have checked many of the fuses, they seem fine.
Is there a engine kill that has been enabled (anti-theft or something), bad key, or what!?!?!
Thanks for your help, Greg