Nissan Repair: 97 Sentra No Start / Electrical Failure, terminal hooks, electrical failure

Question
Hi,
I have a two fold problem. Twice my Sentra has failed to start after parking over the weekend on a slight incline (Left and Right). The first time after considerable turning over it re-fired, ran bad for a few seconds, then ran fine. The last time it would not re-fire after trying the same fix. I tried to spray some starting fluid in near the intake. I turned it over, it went click and now I have lost all electrical power. no lights, no horn, no turning over, nothing except a chime when the key is switched back. there is power in the battery (12+ volts) and power to the fuses beside the battery. All fuses check out OK. What did I do and what's my next step?
Thanks

Answer
Stuart,

If the engine failed to fire and was turning over for an extended period of time the fuse links at the battery could have failed.  Since you say you have no lights I would have the battery charged fully and where the positive terminal hooks to the battery check the fuse links to make sure that none are burnt out.  My bet is the fuse links and one or more is burnt out if the battery is not fully charged.  If the battery is going out and you are at an incline the plates could have been exposed to air and taken the battery out sufficiently not to start the car.