Ok, so I'm not sure if this was just a freak thing, or something's wrong. Today I went to a local store, and when I got back to my car to try to start it as usual, something weird happened.

I turned the key to ACC, everything was normal, then when I try to start it, everything (I mean EVERYTHING including the dome lights, gauges, etc) turned off, leaving only the VSA, (!), and ABS lights on. Let go, crank, nothing. Then it seems like the whole car has no power.

Then I proceed to pop the hood, and wiggle the battery cables, fuses in the fuse box. Dome lights came back on sometime during this, I tried to start the car again, ACC, all gauges light up, turn key, everything went off again.

I wiggle the cables and fuses some more (couldn't think of anything else to try before calling someone for a jump start), went back in car, then the car started.

What could this be? If it was a loose battery connection, I don't think ONLY the VSA, (!), and ABS lights will be on. On the other hand, if it was a loose fuse, why would everything else be off?

Also, I noticed a electrical burning smell when I was driving to the store, but I couldn't tell if it was coming from the outside of the car while driving. However, when I found out the car didnt' start, I kinda smelled it (maybe a mental thing).

 

this used to happen to me when my old non-OEM floormat got in the way of the clutch. Maybe your clutch wasn't depressed all the way for some reason? I think you can replicate everything that happened by turning the key without depressing the clutch. Hopefully it's just that simple.

 

this is assuming of course that you have a 6mt. if you're 5at, i'm at a loss?

 

Yeah, unfortunately, I have a 5AT.. It did seem like some sort of ignition disable mechanism was in play, but I am not sure...

 

It might just be the immobilizer. Happened to me back then. It just went away.

 

will your headlights come on before starting? If they are dim, battery is close to dead.

 

They come on no problem, assuming I don't get that situation where nothing comes on except the VSA, (!), and ABS lights. Battery is less than 1 year old.

 

HIDs won't be dim. They'll either come on or not at all. If the battery has just barely enough juice to start the HIDs they'll sometimes cycle on and off very quickly. The stock battery is a puny and if it's a year or two old, it just might not have enough juice in this cold weather we've all been having. It's caused problems for a number of people.

The burning smell is disconcerting though.

 

Classic dying battery problem. Its internal resistance is too high to provide cranking current which is about 200-300 amps. Take it to your local Advance Auto/AutoZone/etc. for testing.