car wont crank

[slider85]

Drove my car home from work one night for about 30 minutes. Stopped, turned the car off, then came back 20 minutes later and it wouldn't crank, nothing, just power to the radio, fuel pump, etc. Waited till the next morning and the car cranked over but it did it slightly slower. Got the car home, turned it off, then tried to turn it back on, again nothing.
I tried to jump start the car a couple of days ago and it never turned over. I just did a visual inspection to the electrical lines in the engine bay and everything "looks" fine.

Background - I changed the starter about 2 years ago, replaced the battery with an Optima Yellow Top, was told the alternator was good last winter checkup, and the ignition was replaced about 4 years ago after the car got stolen. About two months ago I took the car in to replace my cracked oil pan, after that the lights would intermittently work when I turned my alarm on/off but now they dont blink when I activate the alarm. I figure one of the mechanics hit something but not sure. Never took the car back which was stupid of me.

I have not checked the ignition switch yet because Im not sure what to look for. I am going to get a voltmeter to check the battery, alternator, starter, etc.

Now, what should I check for? How do you know if the ignition switch is fried? Any help appreciated.

 

[slider85]

thanks Zenja, sounds like you actually read the title of my topic
that sounds good. as soon as I have a day off Im gonna get back to fixing my car. thanks for the advice

 

[slider85]

update: So I go out to my car the other day, at this point it has been sitting for 4 months and has not been touched in that time. I had preciously pulled the starter relay cause I was gonna get it tested but never did. So I grab my keys and the relay, put the relay back in its place and try to start the car. It turns really, really slowly, which is weird cause 4 months ago it didnt even move. And, you woukld think that after 4 months the battery would be either be at the same voltage or less, right? And, 4 months ago i tried to jump-start it and it didnt even move. This time, I grab my dads car and give it a jump and miraculously it starts.
So now, Im thinking the problem is the alternator or there is a loose wire or a break in the wiring somewhere that was causing the battery to drain and the starter wasnt getting enough volts to crank over. Gonna take it into the shop and get it checked out. I test drove it for 20 minutes, it didnt die but it also didnt restart after I turned it off. Hopefully itll be back on the road shortly