Dodge Repair: 2002 Dodge Neon- Weird Non-Start, dodge neon, savvy friend

Question
We own a 2002 Dodge Neon with 53K. Today, my husband was out and about, started the car 2-3 times without a problem. Got home and was going to run back out again- and the car would not start! We hear the clicking of the starter, but no turnover in the engine- occasionally one little cough but mostly nothing. The electrics are somewhat working- if we turn over the starter, the display comes on, but the headlights are faint, so we thought it was a battery problem. However, whenever we turn the car on, the speedometer goes up to 15, then to zero, then up to 55, then down to 35, then back down to zero. Same pattern, every time.
A car-savvy friend of ours tells us this may be some sort of code telling us that there is a problem. Have you ever heard of this, and what might be the issue? All the fluids are fine and the S-belt is just fine as well.

Help?!

Answer
First thing to do is have the battery tested. A low battery will give you all sorts of electrical problems.  the speedometer does not give any kind of trouble codes.  

Neons have had a lot of problems with the starter.  and when they go out they will give you a single click. being the starter is very expensive i would make sure the battery is up to charge first. most parts places will check it for free around here.

Good luck,

steve