Turn the key the my Nissan Quest 1996 and no starter action. Not even a click and the dash lights go from dim to dark. I also noticed that my headlights wont come on at all, however the interior lights work and so do the power windows and doors. When I lock and unlock the doors they chatter or click as if not enough juice. Is this the battery or can the starter motor/solenoid stop the headlights from coming on? The battery reads 12.4 volts with out a load. If it?s the battery then why wont the headlights come at least dim. When I tried to jump start it with another car everything went blank no dash lights. As if something was shorted out. I know there are some cars that cannot be jump started and require a stand alone good battery, however I didn?t think the Nissan Quest was one of them. Hmmmmm.

Reading voltage on a battery dosen't mean much, it's the amperage that counts. Hook up jumper cable to your battery, now quickly touch th other ends together. You should get a snap and large spark. If this dosen't happen, you battery or connection are bad.

Your battery could still have 12 volts with a bad cell. your starter works on amperage. if there is not enough cold cranking amps in the battery caused by a bad cell the starter wont engauge. i would replace that battery. also check the terminals on the battery and the starter for corosion

I WOULD CHECK THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A LOOSE CONNECTION THERE, I WOULD TAKE THE TERMANALS OFF CLEAN THEM AND RECONNECT THEM, AND YOU CAN JUMP START THAT VEHICAL. I WOULD START THERE. SOMETIMES IF THE BATTERY HAS A DEAD CELL IT WILL DO THAT ALSO. AFTER YOU CLEAN THE TERMANALS PUT THE LIGHTS ON AND CHECK THE BATTERY VOLTAGE IF IT GOES BELOW 10 VOLTS YOU HAVE A VERY WEAK BATTERY AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT, IF YOU HAVE AAA YOU CAN CALL FOR BATTERY SERVICE AND THEY WILL COME OUT TEST THE WHOLE SYSTEM STARTING,CHARGING,AND BATTERY. IF THE BATERY IS BAD THEY WILL REPLACE IN RIGHT THEN AND THERE. THE ONLY THING YOU PAY FOR IS THE BATTERY NO LABOR.