We come to wherever the car won't start, test the battery and charging system, and either jump it or replace the battery on the spot. A jump is $75. If the test says the battery is finished, we can put a new one in right then, so you're not jumping it again tomorrow morning.
Why we test before we jump
Anybody with cables can jump a car. The question is whether you'll be stuck again in the TGH garage at 7 p.m. tonight. A battery that went flat because a dome light was left on will usually recover after a jump and a good drive. A three-year-old battery that's been cooking under a black hood all summer usually won't. The test tells us which one you've got. Jump start vs. new battery goes into it.
What we hear on the phone
"It just clicks." Rapid clicking is usually a battery with enough voltage to work the solenoid but not enough current to turn the starter. A jump often works.
"One loud click and nothing." Lights bright, one clunk. That's often the starter or its wiring, not the battery. We'll test to rule the battery out.
"It cranks really slow." Weak or undercharged battery, or corrosion at the clamps.
"Nothing. No lights, no sound." Fully dead battery or a main cable that came loose.
"It cranks fine but won't start." Probably not the battery at all. Fuel, ignition or the immobilizer. We'll tell you, and you'll need a mechanic.
Car won't start? A checklist has more on what each sound means.
Where people get stuck
Parking garages are the big one. Downtown, the Channel District, Westshore Plaza, International Plaza, the airport, the hospitals. Then store lots, apartment complexes, stadium and arena lots after events, beach lots, and driveways first thing in the morning. Tell us the garage name and level, or the store and which side of the lot.
Safety first
If you're on the Howard Frankland, the Selmon, I-4 or anywhere in live traffic, call 911 first. Hazards on. If getting out isn't safe, stay buckled in. Once you're somewhere safe, call us.
Hybrids
A hybrid that won't go to "Ready" usually has a weak 12-volt battery. Most can be jumped at the designated terminals, but many shouldn't be used to jump another car. See hybrid 12-volt batteries.
Questions we get about this
Can you jump my car if it’s in a garage?
Usually, yes. Tell us the garage, level and where you are near the stairs or elevator.
Will a jump fix it?
If the battery is healthy and just ran down, often yes. If the battery is worn out, it’ll likely leave you stuck again soon. The test tells us which.
What if it’s not the battery?
We’ll tell you what we think it is so you can get it to the right shop.