Ok, so I think that my battery is on its way out. The terminals are all corroded and it is an old battery.

Ok, so today I am coming back from skiing and turning on the highway. I left it in 2nd to get a little more power going up the hill right out of the turn. This is when the funny stuff happened. Started to smell a little coolant (probably cause I have a slight leak where the hose goes in the top of the motor and the high rpms made more pressure which caused it to leak, idk) but back to the battery. Right then my stereo shut off and came back on. Also the voltage gauge was reading higher than it usually does.

Then stopped at bank and opened door and the cabin started making a constant clicking with the light flickering and I could not lock the doors. Left it unlocked and car started ok when I got back in it.

Then went to return skis and car still made clicking. Then it wouldn't start when I got back in it. Checked connections and they were fine but no start. Clicking stopped when door was shut. Nothing happened when I turned the key, not even a sound or the gauges turning on in accessory. Then I tried to lock car with key fob and it worked then I unlocked it and clicking stopped and car started on the second try and then I drove it home. It made clicking at home and then I started it again and everything seemed to go back to normal. We will see what happens when I get in it tomorrow.

So does this sound like the battery? I also think I need new cables because mine are old and the corrosion is getting to the terminals and the cable off the alternator has exposed wire. So I might get a new battery and new cables...speaking of which, does anyone know where I could find pre cut battery cables for my vehicle?

 

the clicking sounds to me more like an electrical issue, possibly something w/ the ctm (as i read this you are getting the clicking with the ignition off and key out), if the battery is more than 4 years old it will never hurt to replace it

the battery gauge reading high (to a certain extent) is pretty normal in cold weather, above the has marks definitely points to a bad battery or alternator.

it is possible that the coolant leak could have caused a short which is causing all of your problems, get that leak fixed ASAP.

 

I had a battery cell short out not to long ago. Some accessories worked, and it clicked too, but when i turned the key, nothing, no power at all. I would replace the battery and clean the clamps real well. Corrosion can also seep down into the cables. IMO if they look bad, replace them. The system was designed for a certain amperage/volts and if it doesn't get it, it will run bad, if at all.

 

Thanks for the replies, I think I figured it out. I just decided to get the battery tested today and found out the positive terminal clamp was loose because it is all corroded and the nut won't really turn. The battery was fine, but I'm replacing the terminal clamps and cleaning it up real well, then somewhere down the road I might replace the cables, idk.

 

Yes the clicking sound was the CTM. Replace the battery, and you can replace the battery terminals. To replace the battery terminals, go to your local parts store (or eve wal-mart) and get some new brass bolt on terminals. you cut the old terminals off right at the connection and strip the wire back about 5/8 inch.