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I did not use the car for a few months. When I got back to it the battery was dead. Probably a trickle drain somewhere. No big deal.

I removed the battery to take in for a recharge, was told it won't hold a charge, so I need a new one. Well, OK.

Now I have a new one in, the engine won't turn over. Just a click and that's it. My first assumption is that the starter motor has had it. But before I go on a buying spree, here is my question:

All these newer cars have computers. Could it be that after a new battery is installed something somewhere has to be reset, the computer rebooted, before the car can start?

Thanks  

clean the battery terminals... use hot water and a stainless steel tooth brush .. (most hardware and paint stores have them)

make sure that the new battery is fully charged...

i wonder.. was the car exposed to the sub 0 winter weather this year..????

is their antifreeze in the radiator...     is the oil level OK????  not over filled... (might indicate that water/coolant has seeped into the engine...

oh.... is there a starter on it... not stored in an underground garage that might have flooded...

some times the gear reduction starters have contact problems... where one wears away... the contact disc will not tilt far enough to contact both contacts...   i don't know which starter your car has...



i had 2 people in one day come by saying their car only clicked..   both had their starters stolen..  i laughed so hard about it.  about the bad luck of the thief..   he took the starters off the only two stick shift fords in the area...  stick shift ford starters are slightly shorter than an automatic starter.. so they just sit there and grind... making tremendous noise...  

It is likely not the battery (reads just over 13 volts, the amps are beyond the scale of my tiny meter), terminals clean (all electricals work fine, headlights really bright etc.),

Car is kept in underground parking, no flooding or temp extremes. Everything was working the last time it was used.

Thank you for your comments. I have a buddy coming over to take a look. I'll give him your list.