LarryN

Yes I know I should be driving it more often, but you know - busy busy.
Anyway, the battery starts out fine but the engine just doesn't fire, and then of course the battery runs down after cranking multiple times. This the 3rd time it's happened (ok so last time it sat for 2 weeks) and I have managed to get the car started after charging the battery. The car then starts right away every day after that.
So this does not seem like normal behavior to me; I've had older English sports cars that behaved better after longer rests.
Anyone have a similar experience or have any clues? I suppose I should check the fuel pump(s) first...

tom_993

This sounds like a broken DME relay, a well known problem. Robin has all the info <a href="http://p-car.com/diy/relay/" target="_blank">here.</a>

Randall G.

Hi Larry,

I have a spare relay you can try next time it acts up (I live all of about 2 miles from Larry). That said, I imagine you'll be ordering one yourself in the near future.

LarryN

Thanks guys, guess I had a hole in my knowledge of well known problems (hope there aren't too many more).

Randall, I'll charge the battery and call you tomorrow if it's still acting up. Will definitely be ordering the relay asap.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
-Larry

User 121721

You need a new battery. Almost the exact same thing happened in my car. How old is the one in the car?

LarryN

[quote] You need a new battery. Almost the exact same thing happened in my car. How old is the one in the car? <hr></blockquote>

Not sure - certainly a possibility, I've had the car for two years now and have not replaced it. Seems to crank strong for quite a while, maybe &gt;30 seconds total (not continuous).
-Larry

Todd Campbell

Same problem. Battery. You can charge it, but it will drian down quickly. Get yourself an Orbital (fits better than Optima) or similar gel sealed battery. I have found that these cars are power hungery even when parked. I keep a Porsche trickle charger connected to the Cig lighter when I am away. Keeps it topped off electrically.

LarryN

So, I bought a new relay ($19.30) and then a battery while I was out, just in case. Replacing the relay did the trick.
I can't tell how old the existing battery is (Interstate 60) but it seems ok so I guess I'll take the new battery back for a refund ($99 at Kragen).
Thanks for everyone's advice,
-Larry