Saab Aero 2002 not starting

[freddiebrown]

I drove my car this morning, then popped home to get something and when i tried to start it the dashboard lights would jusy flickerer and you could hear a clicking in the engine bay but would not even try to turn over?

I then got a friend to start it with jump leads to move it somewhere safer (25miles away) and after parking it up the same thing happened again.

Now is this a dead battery or could it be the alternator?

when you turn the key the head lights dim I dont kow if this helps figure out whats the issue exactly?

Please help...just dotn want to buy a battery to find I need a new alternator as well.

Thanks

Freddie

[ScarbSaab]

Many tyre and battery places will test the battery for you for free. If it checks out, then look at the alternator. Sounds like battery, as when I had the alternator go on my 9000, the car was shutting things down while I was driving.

[David]

Easiest way to test your alternator is park close to a wall, ideally when dark, with lights on main beam, let car tickover with everything possible switches on (rear screen, interior lights etc) and when you rev the engine, do the lights get brighter. If not then your alterantor needs replacing. If they do, then probably the battery. Simples. 

[sgould]

My battery died suddenly.  Modern batteries do this.

The only other thing to look at is the crankshaft position sensor.  It can cause hot start problems.  But it doesn't normally cause  the dash lights to die and flicker.