Engine Won't Crank - Battery or Worse - Sanity Check

[StrangeLove4791]

I have a MT 10 Series with 4500 (yes 45 hundred) miles on it. I purchased this vehicle in the summer and have been enjoying the hell out of it. I went out a few minutes ago and tried to start it. All of the indicator lights came on, the head unit booted, etc., it's just that the engine didn't do anything, nary a crank was heard. I've had this problem a couple of times before, but only after the first try. I figured I just put my foot down on the clutch too fast.

I read through the manual and tried the couple of troubleshooting steps in there. I put into the Accessory Mode, depressed the brake and clutch, and held down on the start button for 15 seconds. I also did the thing where you hold the key over the start button. Same outcome for both. I also tried both key fobs to see if the issue is there. For both, the appropriate indicator lights go off and on as the manual says they are supposed to.

Now ordinarily, I would assume this is a battery issue. Someone else owned this car for 3 years before me, and all I know is they barely drove it because the miles are ridiculously low. My opinion, FWIW, is that letting a car sit day after day is just as bad for the battery as daily driving. Time is the enemy, etc.

However, this is my first vehicle with push button start, so I'm second guessing myself. Thusly, I thought I'd put to the esteemed group to see if you agree with my initial and completely uneducated diagnosis or if some other bug might be the cause of my trouble.

Thanks and sorry for the long read.
--Quentin

[FR-Sky]

4500..? My 10 series has 36000....

Well i never have that issue with my 10 series, the heart is beating since day one i bought it. The best way to find out is to get the electrical meter and check your battery OR try to crank it with another car.

Usually, the car start up by just pressing/hold the clutch and 1 click on the start button.

[gramicci101]

It's a 2013 that barely gets used and sits in a hot environment. Replace the battery first before thinking it's anything worse.

[Tcoat]

The 10 series, Monograms and BRZs with push button all seem to chew up batteries way worse then the key start ones. There are dozens and dozens of reports on battery failure on here. About 90% of them are the push button cars. I have been following these threads and some day will figure out just what it is!


As said, boost or grab a new battery before panicking. Almost guaranteed to be the battery.

[JD001]

I don't use my car much, '14 with 6k on the clock. The original battery died last year around 5k and was replaced under warranty. The replacement is a much better battery as it seems to be holding its charge.

[finch1750]

First, check for corrosion on the battery that may be killing your connection. If none use a multimeter to test it yourself or take it to Autozone/O'Reily/Pepboys/etc to have it tested.

[billwot]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

It's a 2013 that barely gets used and sits in a hot environment. Replace the battery first before thinking it's anything worse.

Uhh, why not do a little basic troubleshooting before spending a Franklin for something you might not need?

Check battery voltage, and while your under the hood, check for corrosion on thei posts and be sure the connections are secure.

[guybo]

No crank, no start. You say there's no sound AT ALL- no clicking, no buzzing no nothing but you have lights inside the car. This is not a battery issue. If it was the battery, there would be crank no start, clicking or an attempt to crank and then it'd die.



1) get out of the car, close all the doors. Use the car's remote to lock then unlock the doors. Then try to start.

2) I have seen this a few times in the past couple weeks- when you try to start it, press the clutch like you are trying to push the clutch pedal THROUGH the floorboard. Make sure there's no carpet or floor liner in the way at all.

3) try the back up key fob


A lot times alarm systems get goofy and a simple lock/unlock with a known working key fob does the trick. There's a safety device called a clutch safety switch that prevents a MT car from starting unless the clutch is pushed in. Sometimes that sensor gets out of adjustment and you have to REALLY push it in a lot

Have someone crank it while you listen under the hood. Does the starter make 1 hard click or maybe many clicks? 1 hard click is bad- starter problem. Many clicks is good- battery issue. When the key is turned do you hear/feel anything from the fuse box?

[humfrz]

Just in case you need a primer.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm


humfrz

[bass_114]

Original dead battery checking in here. 2013 17k mi. Ordered one of those AGM one's hopefully will hold up longer

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by guybo

No crank, no start. You say there's no sound AT ALL- no clicking, no buzzing no nothing but you have lights inside the car. This is not a battery issue. If it was the battery, there would be crank no start, clicking or an attempt to crank and then it'd die.



1) get out of the car, close all the doors. Use the car's remote to lock then unlock the doors. Then try to start.

2) I have seen this a few times in the past couple weeks- when you try to start it, press the clutch like you are trying to push the clutch pedal THROUGH the floorboard. Make sure there's no carpet or floor liner in the way at all.

3) try the back up key fob


A lot times alarm systems get goofy and a simple lock/unlock with a known working key fob does the trick. There's a safety device called a clutch safety switch that prevents a MT car from starting unless the clutch is pushed in. Sometimes that sensor gets out of adjustment and you have to REALLY push it in a lot

Have someone crank it while you listen under the hood. Does the starter make 1 hard click or maybe many clicks? 1 hard click is bad- starter problem. Many clicks is good- battery issue. When the key is turned do you hear/feel anything from the fuse box?

DUDE! There doesn't have to be clicking or buzzing but still have lights. It is the very definition of a battery issue.

[StrangeLove4791]

Well, turns out it wasn't a battery or an alternator or anything else you might expect. In fact it was a mother !@#$!^& rodent, which had nested in my engine and chewed through the wiring harness. Unfortunately, when I discovered the car wouldn't start, I was leaving the country the next day. So I took no further action. I was gone for two weeks, and went out to deal with it the day after I got back.

Here's what I found...

[bababooey]

thats freakin gnarly. i suspect insurance claim will help sort this out

[StrangeLove4791]

Originally Posted by bababooey

thats freakin gnarly. i suspect insurance claim will help sort this out

Yes, thank goodness...estimate is ~$5000.