[diplomat128]

Hey guys I had this happen to me once before where my car would not start and the screen between the gauges would flicker and show lines. My fix back then was to plug it in with a trickle charger or boost it and that worked and still works.

Fast forward to this week and this started happening again except this time it happened to me at work and with no one around to jump start me or no plugs for my trickle charger I tried pushing to start a couple of times and after about 4 tries it started up, not without its share of ABS and other faults mind you. This "push-a-couple-of-times-to-start" worked twice so far.

The battery compartment does not seem to have water inside nor is it damp. I did notice though that it DOES seem like it happens more on days where it's raining or it rained before but I'm not sure if this can be related at all.

Please see the video below for a better description of what happens.

BTW I do get "increased battery discharge" every once in a while. Battery seems OK though..

View My Video

[jwzimm]

It looks like it is time for a new battery. When a battery is going out it can cause all kinds of little gremlins like this. Don't forget you need to have the replacement battery coded to the car.

[PINeely]

Your battery is dead. Replace it and have the dealer register then new one to the car.

[diplomat128]

Yeah are you sure? Why did it start after 4 tries though and the accessories work? I will probably end up replacing the battery but if its something else causing a short or something I don't want to put a new battery to waste

[jwzimm]

These cars are filled to the brim with computers. They do not like having "unclean" power (i.e. voltages not within normal). That is what is causing all of your issues. The battery is toast. You battery is 5 years old so it is due.

[diplomat128]

Fair enough! Thanks for your answers I really appreciate it. So I will replace the battery. Hopefully there is nothing causing a short and draining it too much and it won't happen with the new battery.

[jwzimm]

Good luck. And be sure that whoever replaces the battery knows how to register it correctly in the car. The car needs to know it has a brand new battery and what capacity and type it is to work correctly (yes, it is that picky unfortunately).

As for a short, I doubt it. A short would have other issues (like smoke or something not working at all).

[diplomat128]

Alright got my appointment Monday for battery change at an indy shop. ~200$ +tx parts and labor. Not so bad.

Once I get the car to start i sometimes get a "abs malfunction" on the dash that goes away after a few seconds/minutes: should i also be looking at something else? It only happens when the car struggles to start

[PINeely]

That is also because of the battery. Computer controlled or electrical systems show faults when they arent getting enough electricity.

[diplomat128]

Ok great! Thanks a bunch guys! Will report back once battery is changed

[diplomat128]

Battery change fixed everything! thanks guys