My battery is completely dead. But I can't get it started with a powerful portable battery. It clicks but won't turn over. I have pushed the latch down on the hood so it thinks hood is closed. I have lock and unlocked in case it's the alarm system. The car has very few miles (20,000) but has been sitting in garage for 9 months undriven. Any ideas?

 

its not fully charged yet

 

And trying to jump start with another battery will not do the trick. It does sound like a dead battery, but you might need to replace it if it will not take a charge.

 

The battery is dead. Don't waste time attempting to charge it or in any way have it in the circuit when you attempt to start the engine.

Replace the battery with a known good one (read new one). Then if the engine won't start come back with the symptoms.

The engine should start/run with the new battery although the engine may run crummy due to stale gas.