Battery, Can't remove keys
 

OK

This is in the Off Topic because it happened today. I drive two cars and my other car would not start. My Mini is the S Coupe. It runs fine.

This car is a 2005 Buick Lacrosse.

Put key in and dead. Then a clicking noise. Then a few red lights on dash. It did unlock with key fob and had interior lights for awhile. It was as if it went total dead. I put a new battery in it 1 1/2 years ago maybe a year ago.

I can't remove the keys nor take it out of park to roll backwards. Parked behind wife's car blocked her in good. Odd?

I will check battery connections tonight. I could self jump start it as another option. Maybe go to Advanced Auto Parts to check battery and or alternator? If it will start.

I tried and tried but can turn the key but it will not come out. Odd? No button to remove key. It never turned over. Not one sound. Just a clicking later after sitting there. As if there is a short?

Damn American cars anyway. What am I missing? It has been driven everyday and no signs of low battery. Then this happens.

Plain car, no added option running off battery. No iPod. Nothing. Ran fine all the way home last night. Always sits outside and started fine in much colder weather.

Battery could have a bad cell and decided today was the day.

Alternator is giving out and not charging the battery enough. So after running on mainly battery power, the battery was sucked dry and will not start the car.

Possibly a draw somewhere in your cars electrical system.

Anyone of those is possible. I'd say have the battery alternator checked at the very least. Bad battery can make the alternator over charge and burn up the alternator (and battery for that matter). Bad alternator and drain the battery beyond recharging as well.

Thanks but No Thanks
 

From what I was able to read on-line a dead battery will cause the keys to stay in the ignition. Glad the car has insurance!

Will replace battery and have alternator checked. I hear could be any number of issues or just was time for the battery to die. They don't give much if any warning.

Glad I just purchased one of those self jumping things to carry with me. If nothing else for the piece of mind working in the city that is huge.

Thanks

And I don't know why it says at the top Thanks but no thanks? I did not type that. Been one of those days. Ready for a beer.

A jump pack is very cheap insurance. I've only used mine twice, but it has already paid for itself in the process.

New Battery
 

Seems to have fixed issue. Now the keys come out too!

I have these which are helpful tools.

INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor : Amazon.com : Automotive

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4105fQmT1vL.jpg

And

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg