Topic: Silent night

[erich]

Yesterday I got an SOS call from Mrs EH - the CX-5 won't start (push-button start).
First it gave her a message of "Key fob not detected". When I got there all the right lights went up on the dash, but pushing the start button only gives a click from the relay. Starter doesn't turn over at all. Might still be a weak battery, but hard to figure that out with all the electronics.
Car was in the parking at her workplace, could not get the other car close for a jumpstart. It was also cold and dark, didn't feel like working there.

She will call CAA today, they could try to jumpstart it. If not, tow it to a repair shop.

Bummer end to a bummer year.

[tortoise]

Could it just be a weak key fob battery?  I think the keyless start remotes consume a bit more power than the conventional keyless ones. 

I'd replace the battery in the fob before dealing with a tow.

[Allen]

don't you have a second fob you can try?

[Noto]

Yeah, my guess is the keyfob battery as well.

The wife called me from work when we were in Ottawa last winter, saying the car wouldn't start.  She heard a clicking, but nothing more.  This was in the 2011 Forester XT, which 100% doesn't have keyless start

The culprit was that she drove to work, parked, and turned off the engine; however, she left the key in the "on" position so that her seat warmer and bluetooth would work since she was on the phone with her mum.  That conversation lasted 15 mins.  The headlights (HID) were also on during the entire conversation despite the engine being off.

When she came back out to the car, it wouldn't start.  A simple boost was sufficient, but the battery was weak to begin with (original, 6-years old - and the car only ever drives short distances).  It ran "fine" for another few weeks until James Bergeron said, "dude, get a new battery".  And so I did - went for AGM since it has a low self-discharge rate (anything helps...).

[erich]

I tried with both keyfobs, plus the "Starting with a dead keyfob" thing from the manual.
CAA will try to boost it. If it starts, it's a tow home and a trip to Costco.

[Fobroader]

Does the thing not have a regular key??

[carcrazed]

My cooling fan relay was stuck on 'on' position and drained my battery last week. I ended up getting a new battery before the mechanic found out that it was the relay, though.
It's tough getting stuck with a non-starting car in this weather. I hope your wife didn't suffer too much.

[EV-Light]

sucks when that happens...it's a 2014 too, shouldn't be giving you any headaches.

[Solstice2006]

sucks when that happens...it's a 2014 too, shouldn't be giving you any headaches.

I agree, unless something was left on, causing battery problems.  I have had to replace a battery at 3 years.  This battery is 4 years old .

[erich]

Boosting helped, battery it is.
Costco, here I come.

[ktm525]

Hunt around the edges of the battery display for the Kirkland AGMs. Only $20 more and I think they are discontinuing. In the States Interstate is now the display in Costco no more Kirkland brand.

[erich]

Battery replaced, all good.

I also learned that my booster cables are toast (tried to jumpstart at home, to move the car to where I could work better, failed).

Dear Santa...