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an internally dead shorted batt is rare & hooking up the cables correctly is simple & I'm now also wondering how the batt went completely dead



Thats what I thought too, but I had one about two years ago and then a buddy a few months later. If it was internally shorted I don't think you'd get the click or anything though. Mine couldn't even turn the dome light on with jumper cables hooked up. It was fine the week before when I took it out.

I agree with the above, clean your connections and check your engine to chassis ground and battery to engine ground.

Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat
Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street