Chrysler Repair: STARTING PROBLEM:Battery or starter?, solenoid switch, overnight charge

Question
ONE MORNING I WENT TO GO TO WORK AND MY CAR WOULDNT START (TURN OVER). I HOOKED UP A BATTERY CHARGER TO TRY AND JUMP START IT AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD MAKE A LOUD REPETTING CLICKING NOISE DASH LIGHTS WOULD BLINK AS WELL AS INTERIOR LIGHTS. THINKNG BATTERY IS BAD BUT BEFORE I GO THROUGH ALL THE WORK IN CHANGING IT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR EXPERTISE. THANK YOU DUSTIN.

Answer
Hi Dustin,
I would be inclined to agree with you but I would try to charge the battery overnight and see if it will then start (before you unhook the charger). That would give the battery a better test, other than to check the specific gravity of the fluid in the battery for example which may be as difficult to accomplish as removing it. It may be the battery is OK but you have have something that is drawing down the charge when the vehicle isn't running that is the real problem. Also keep in mind the possibility that the starter motor is not spinning as it should, despite sufficient battery voltage, which might behave similarly as it did with the charger aiding the battery.
If it starts well after an overnight charge, then I would look for a light that is "on" all the time (e.g. trunk, glove box, underhood) or go further to measure the current flow through a battery cable when everything is shut down (the so-called ignition off draw which should be less than 100 milliamps). If the starter motor still only clicks loudly (the sound of the solenoid switch on the starter motor) then I would pull the battery and verify whether it is charged or not with an hygrometer to test the density of the electrolyte. If it seems reasonably well charged then suspect the starter motor; if any of the cells reads at a "discharged" specific gravity then I would replace the battery. If the battery is nearing the end of its warranty, that would be another reason to suspect it.
Roland