I have a 2009 with 4000 miles in Indian Shores FL. It sits outside with a solar charger and a neighbor starts it weekly. I live in the Chicago area and only get there 3 to 4 times a year. I was there this Feb 6 to Feb 21. I took the solar charger off and used the car everyday. It turned over fine. On the 21st i wanted to fill the car with gas, but it wouldn't crank. Only that terrible clicking sound. Any thoughts? I figure it's either battery or charging system or both. You mean to tell me that a battery lasts longer in the freezing cold of Chicago?
Where should I buy a battery in the St. Pete Clearwater area. What battery manufacturer? Thank you

 

i would run some diagnostics first...get the battery checked and the charging system

 

Batteries today can work today and be dead tomorrow. As stated, have it checked out. Heat and cold are hard on batteries. Instead of using a solar charger, why not just use a maintainer?

 

I cannot use a maintainer as this is at a large condo complex. No outside outlets. Solar charger the only way.

 

Solar chargers are ONLY good for maintaining an ALREADY FULLY CHARGED BATTERY. That should have been explained in the literature that came with the solar charger. They work like a 1 or 2 amp trickle charger, to MAINTAIN the battery. They do not charge a weak battery.

Unless of course, you have one heck of a solar charger.

 

^^ x2

 

Hello from Houston. My first post ever on the site! Just had the same thing happen...car wouldnt start...no lights indicating a problem before hand. Got a jump and it started right away...probably a weak original battery....2009. Will get it tested tomorrow. Sure wish they had a guage that would tell you when the battery is getting weak or needs to be checked!

 

Welcome to the site RJ Vleck.

you should do a proper introduction here...https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/introductions-48/

 

I have been told by battery shops, that solar charging will kill batteries pretty quickly. You might consider finding some inside storage for it with power so you can run a battery maintainer, which is the only way to keep the battery alive for long periods of time. Check for RV storage facilities.

 

You need to check the battery voltage it can be done under the hood a cheap volt meter, if it way below 12 volts it will not start, as my mirrow lights were on all night and was readinf 8.49 volts, I have a jump start battery uniyt from Harbor Freight cost about $40.00, a real life saver.