I'm assuming it the starter but not 100%.

I have power (lights, power locks, etc) and when I turn the key I'm just getting a clicking noise. Also, after trying to start it a few times it seems that the horn sound was deadened quite a bit like when I would set off the alarm or lock the doors.

Is a starter swap pretty easy to DIY? I'm fairly mechanically inclined but don't really have any special tools aside from socket sets, wrenches, and screwdrivers.

Or if someone could post a link to another thread on here I would appreciate it. I'm at work and don't have much time to be poking around.

Thanks

 

It's just a dead battery,

try jumper cables...if you car starts, it's definitely not the starter.

 

if it's a dead battery, would my lights/locks/radio/etc still be ok?

 

yes, the dead battery(but not completely dead-dead) has barely enough juice left to run little things like the radio, lights, etc., but not enough to crank a starter or an engine.

The clicking noise you've mentioned is a good sign of a dead battery. Jump starting is free and wouldn't hurt to try. If you don't have cables, I'm sure a neighbor or a friend has set of jumpers you can borrow.

 

would that be the reason the horn wasn't as loud as usual?

 

Yes, your battery is dead. It happens.

It happened to me around 55k miles. I sort of off hand noticed that the engine was turning over slightly slower the day before and the next day, dead battery. I replaced it and haven't had a problem since.

To make sure get a battery charger with a "starter" mode of 50amps, connect it to the battery terminals, wait a minute or so, and try to start your car. If it starts then you have isolated the problem.

 

Thanks for the help guys

 

it's the battery. You will have enough juice to run those accessories, but not for long. take it out and get it tested if you want, but I'd just buy a new one. Make sure you take the old one back for the core charge.