make_or_break

Happened last night. Currently have a falsing problem w/ the alarm (bad sensor?). At a local mall I forgot--or ignored the issue--and set the alarm, only to have the alarm fire off roughly 15 minutes later. As I approached the car (with the horn still ablazin'), the horn suddenly cut out but the warning flashers were still blinking. I used the key fob to turn off the alarm and unlock the doors.

Where things went south was when I tried to start the car. Got the clicking noise of the starter, but no crank over. Battery had excellent juice, but couldn't start the car. Had to wait for a flatbed to have the car brought home. I assume that it may have something to do with the immobilizer. Looked over the fuses for all the good that did; no blown fuses and no capability to check any of the relays. Guess it's another tow-in to Aker's (sigh).

AAA must be really getting tired of me and my cars by now...

Chuck W.

Have you recently added anything like an iPod? Check the grounding cable from the battery.

make_or_break

Visually checked the cable; looks fine w/ solid connections and no corrosion.

I did have a new h/u installed over a month back. It's possible that it's the source of the problems, although the false alarm problems only started a few days ago and the car has had plenty of use in the meantime. The way the horn blanked out when the alarm was firing, I tend to think that something with the immobilizer and/or alarm is the cause (the horn works fine when activated by the steering wheel).

I think I'll try to get the alarm to fire off again, and see what happens.

gr8330

Did you lock and unlock the car three times then try to start it?

911-TOUR

Sounds like the fuel pump relay to me.

sean

JM993

Don't overlook the obvious. Although your battery has excellent juice, you should still load test it. While someone turns the car over, connect a mulitmeter across the terminals. If the battery is good, its voltage should remain consistent under load.

make_or_break

Thanks for the advice. Didn't know about the lock/unlock technique...but alas, it didn't work. Hopefully I'll have some time tonight to look at the car and give the battery a serious once over.

make_or_break

It was indeed the battery. Even after I pulled it and bench charged it, by the next day the test meter on the charger showed it had lost a quarter of its reserve. Went south, and fast. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Now that I know what to look for from the door LEDs, the next on the to-do list is to fix the alarm system. And so on it goes...

black ice

It sounds more like a current drain and the alarm issue is a symptom of a low charge condition. Battery may be fine.

dave