Really need some help today!

[denverpete]

I'm out of town and my wife has the Box today. She just called and says she can't get it to start. Naturally this kind of thing only happens when I'm not around and generally "fixes" itself when I show up. Given that it ran just fine last night - and hasn't previously shown this type of issue - I could really use some advice. Unfortunately, I don't have much info (she had to take a cab to work so I couldn't quiz her much) so I'm kinda looking for info on what SHE might be doing wrong. I'm starting on the premise that I didn't leave the lights on last night and kill the battery. She got into the car using the remote. She's only driven it a couple of times - so.... What do you think! I need some possible solutions within the next 6-8 hours (it's 1:13 here in Chicago) to trouble-shoot by phone when she gets off work.

It's a '99 with a manual. Less than 15K miles. Mild weather today. Driven every single day.

Thanks!

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by denverpete

I'm out of town and my wife has the Box today. She just called and says she can't get it to start. Naturally this kind of thing only happens when I'm not around and generally "fixes" itself when I show up. Given that it ran just fine last night - and hasn't previously shown this type of issue - I could really use some advice. Unfortunately, I don't have much info (she had to take a cab to work so I couldn't quiz her much) so I'm kinda looking for info on what SHE might be doing wrong. I'm starting on the premise that I didn't leave the lights on last night and kill the battery. She got into the car using the remote. She's only driven it a couple of times - so.... What do you think! I need some possible solutions within the next 6-8 hours (it's 1:13 here in Chicago) to trouble-shoot by phone when she gets off work.

It's a '99 with a manual. Less than 15K miles. Mild weather today. Driven every single day.

Thanks!

Hi,

I assume that she pressed the Clutch to de-energize the Starter Lock-Out Switch?

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[denverpete]

Yeah, I asked that question to which I received the following response, "This isn't the first car I've driven!". But, to your point - she is quite short and maybe didn't adjust the seat yet - would not fulling depressing the clutch cause the problem?

[Ronzi]

Pete,
I live in Denver (Westminster, actually) and would be happy to take a look at the car this evening, or even this afternoon if that can be arranged.
I have no particularly great mechanical expertise, but I do have a '99 Box as well, so maybe I could at least noodle out some things that it isn't.
Feel free to call me if you wish. I will send you a private message with my phone no.

Ronzi

[roman]

This also happened to me and my wife one night in the middle of February when it was cold as . . . well you know. It turned out I had to have it towed and the main computer had to be replaced.

This was a dinner thing, drove to the restaraunt, had dinner, came out and turned the key, and nothing!

Good luck is all I can say. Luckily warranty covered ours, but I can tell you, my dinner sure didn't sit well that night!!

[blinkwatt]

Is the steering wheel locked?

[denverpete]

Ronzi,

Wow, that's an incredibly nice offer. Unfortunately, I'm not sure when she's going to be off work (probably 8-10 this evening). That and I don't want to overwhelm her. I was hoping to get some possible tips and then have a friend of mine come by (he only lives a block away). That way if it's a stupid mistake (which I think and hope it is) then she won't feel too terribly embarrassed. Plus I know he can swing by on a moments notice if need be.

Do you have a manual? If so, does it give any basic trouble-shooting advice? You know, like is the clutch depressed (depress clutch), is the car under water (swim to surface and call search and rescue), those sort of things???

Seriously - I really appreciate the offer.