While away from my car, I've asked my dad to drive it once a week. He left the door open and killed the battery. He then plugged a jump box into the aux socket in the center console. The dome lights came on so he figured he'd try to start it with the jump box plugged in Turns the key and all signs of power immediately turn off.

I then have him access the power pole on the fuse panel and try to get power to pull the key out but nothing lights up this time.

Something apparently has blown. Any advice on what I should have him check first?

I'm concerned he fried something and hoping its just a fuse.

 

The battery is probably toast.

 

I suppose, but when he plugged in the booster everything lit up immediately and only died a few seconds later when he turned the key.

 

That means that the battery does not have enough amps to crank the engine. When he cranked the key, that's when the juice in the battery was used up.

 

Assuming the polarity was correct, probably just the fuse failed controlling/protecting the circuit to which he plugged in.

 

When researching batteries, I discovered that every battery brand in the world is made in one of 3 factories... so just look for the best price and longest warranty that you can find. Do not buy based on advertising because it is all just hype.

Installed the Group 49 battery (Sears Diehard Advanced Gold AGM battery, 850 CCA)... it takes up the entire tray and the retainer attaches to the last hole (the one without the threaded pre-attached nut).

What I did to get around that was to take off the battery tray, put a stainless steel bolt with a star washer through the bottom of the hole so the bolt/star washer was upside down, and then re-installed the battery tray. I bought the locknut, washer and bolt at Home Depot

Next, I put in the battery and battery retainer and fastened it down with a stainless steel nut with a nylon insert (or lock nut).

The battery tray allows for a open ended wrench to be slid under to hold the bolt while you ratchet down the nut. You will have to remove the black access panel for the cabin filter that is next to the battery on the passenger side of the car (very simple, just one torx screw) to get your hand in there with the open ended wrench.

Perfect fit, and a 1-2-3 solution for the bolt hole! Total install time = 4 minutes

 

Next, prevent the problem in the future with a CTEK battery tender, much cheaper than a new battery.

 

Fuse A10 (cig socket). My mom found it while on the phone with me. Thanks for your help everyone. Good times.