I got the car out of winter storage on Sunday. Unlocked car, removed battery tender, started up just fine. Ran great for three days. Wednesday, went to start the car, turned key on, system check fine, turned key to starter, and absolutely nothing. No clicks, nothing. I have not checked voltage on battery, but I do not suspect lie voltage at this time, as it is only one year old and just was fully charged. I did find that gear selector would not go out of park with brake pedal depressed and ignition on. I did try transmission lock override to shift to neutral, but still nothing. It acts like the security module does not recognize the key. I tried both keys and valet key with same result. I have known issues with SLCM, key fob does not work, and convertible top pump will not function properly due to water damage. I find it odd that I cannot shift out of park with the ignition on. Should I be looking at brake switch or security module? Or should I be looking at something else? I would love to replace the security module, but I have not found one that I feel is compatible as I am not positive which one to get, as the one in the car appears to have been replaced.

 

Do you have any warnings on dash?

Can you hear the shift lock release clicking when pressing the brake pedal?

Might need to check the battery anyway to rule that out

Anything else not working on the car, etc?

 

thanks for the reply, there are no warnings on dash, I do not hear shift lock release. Everything appears to work other than nothing happens when turning key front number 2 position to start position. I do need to verify battery is fine, but I'm not seeing usual low voltage issues.

 

D, would you mind confirming for us that the various dashboard lights light up and self tests warning dash displays with ignition on?

Do the interior lights light when opening the door?
John

 

yes, dash lights come on, does do the system check, interior lights on. When turning key to start position, it's like I never turned the key from the on position. nothing changes or happens.

 

I took a few minutes this morning before I left for work to connect the battery tender to the car. I was very surprised when it showed 40% charge. I'll check it after work and see what happens.

 

I had a similar issue with my 1997 XK8. There is a starter relay in the engine area. In my case I just reseated it and the starter began working again. My relay is located is located on the passenger side. It is in a group of three relays mounted at the top of the inner fender wall. The information about these relays is located on the fuse assembly in the trunk. The advantage is that reseating/swapping the relay is quick and painless.

 

try reprogramming the key with IDS

 

charged the battery and car was fine. 14.3 volts at idle, so alternator is working, 13 volts at battery when off. I'm not sure why the battery got so low, but I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks for all the suggestions

 

My battery in my 2000 just failed. What you describe sounds similiar to my experience. I had the battery on a charger and it appeared to be charged up, Checked with a muti meter at about 12.7 volts and looked good. Tried to start the car, nada. Voltage drop to about 12.2 and soon as any load was put on it. LIkely a dead cell. Most places will load test your battery for free.

 

David, you may be correct. I had good voltage yesterday after taking off the charger. This morning it was 12.4 volts and would not start. I use the key to unlock the door and the locks wanted to cycle several times, trunk button would not work either, both signs of low battery. The battery is less than 2 years old, but works rather the battery failed than an unknown voltage draw to track down. My next step would be to disconnect and charge the battery and check after 12 hours or so to see if disconnected battery still has voltage drop. Honestly hoping it does.

 

Yeah if after 12 hours you get a big drop then its bad for sure. However with no load on the battery it could hold the charge, it just can't deliver it. Easy to test just hook up the battery and hit the starter. If its no dice check the voltage, mine dropped to 12.3 from 12.7 and the starter would not even click. Replaced the battery and all it started right up. Not only did it start the car ran a lot better.

 

Now is the time to start using your battery tender on the new battery whenever the car is going to sit overnight or longer. Most tenders include cables that are permanently attached to the battery and allow for a very easy hooking up of the tender.

just a few extra seconds added to the maintenance routine will keep your new battery new.

Z

 

Try to turn the key instead of hitting the starter. These are delicate machines.

 

That's funny, I deserved that one. Turning the key works better than hitting the starter. In this case, it was actually another symptom of my failing security module. Took me almost two years to find the right one, but it fixed a lot of faults. Have a great day