Strange Behavior When Starting

[eicheldp]

My 04 S has been sitting idle for a few months (without a tender) and I thought I would try to start it. The following are the observations I made.

1. Opened the door, the interior lights came on along with the dash display.

2. Inserted Key and tried to start the car.

3. Very rapid clicking, the windows went up and down (similar to when you open the door), all the warning lights began to flash, the digital portion of the dash did not show complete numbers, only portions of the numbers.

4. The engine never turned over.

Shut off the switch,

Is this normal for a near dead battery? Looking forward to your input.

I opened the frunk and put the charger on the battery (Hope that helps)

[njbray]

sounds like a dead battery to me. I think the clicking is the solenoid.

[Joe B]

Battery for sure. I'm surprise you even got the frunk open. These cars really need to have the battery disconnected, or have a trickle charger used, when not started for more than a couple of weeks. Your battery may now be toast.

[amitmishra4]

Typical symptoms for a nearly dead battery. You got lucky that you were able to pop the frunk easily before it completely died.

[DrCactus]

I agree with everyone here the just about dead battery. It must had just enough juice in the battery to open the frunk - make sure you test the battery and hope it will take a charge. When i store my car I take the battery inside and each month I put the charger on it to top it up to keep it fresh. Plus never fully close your frunk when storing your car this will save you alot of headaches come Spring.

[kk2002s]

Just experienced same symptoms but I did it to my self
Cars been sitting. I popped the Frunk to get lug lock to do some front end work
Partially closed hood. Worked on the car for a couple days
I think the partially opened Hood let the Light on for some time and killed the already weak battery (Remove light in this situation)
No starter turn over and the display dimmed out, never seen that before.
I charged it 20 mins and was able to start
I suspect my battery could be near end-of-life

[eicheldp]

Thanks to all for your input. Before the car went into storage, I popped the frunk and disconnected the light. I read too many horror stories of a closed frunk on this forum.

The car is on a 2 amp charge and it will be 24 hrs when I try to start it again. I hope that will be enough to make it through another season. The current battery is from 2010.

[Steve Tinker]

Just as general information, both "frunk" and "retrunk" lights switch themselves are on a timer & switch off after approximately 2 hours.

[eicheldp]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

Just as general information, both "frunk" and "retrunk" lights switch themselves are on a timer & switch off after approximately 2 hours.

Thanks Steve, I didn't know that. BTW, a 24 hr slow charge was what the Dr. ordered. the car started up with no hesitation last evening.