Totally Dead?

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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 07:23 PM
  #1  
FatNoah's Avatar
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From: Boston, MA
Totally Dead?

Just in the off chance that someone gets this in the next 15-20 minutes. I went to leave the office today, hopped in the '05, turned the ignition and BAM, everything goes dark. Absolutely nothing electronic works, including lights, locks, etc.

After about five minutes of scratching my head, I get out of the car and the door locks behind me. When I get back in, things are on, the welcome message appears, but when I turn the ignition, dead again and seems to be for good this time.

Since it's too late for public transit, the wifey has to roust my 4 year old to come get me. Ugh!

Anyone have any thoughts?

---
I should add that I haven't experienced any slow turns or other symptoms of dying battery, but I suppose that's a possibility. The suddenness of everything turning off makes me think of a short though. I guess it's time to get some payback for the extended warranty purchase.

Last edited by FatNoah; Aug 4, 2011 at 07:35 PM.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 07:55 PM
  #2  
Carbon Legend's Avatar
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i had to replace my XM unit. there was a bad batch of them that went out. RL's love to eat up batteries.

But you could have a bad cell or battery just isnt holding a charge anymore
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by FatNoah
Since it's too late for public transit, the wifey has to roust my 4 year old to come get me. Ugh!

.
Wow - your 4 yr old came and got you

In terms of battery symptoms - have you experienced the non-telescoping steering wheel?
I have a 2005 and I'm on my 3rd battery
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 10:38 PM
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oo7spy's Avatar
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Check the terminal bolts and the contact with the battery. They shouldn't be able to move. I have had issues In Legend #1 with a loose terminal wire that would cause sudden loss of power.
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 08:37 AM
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^^Yea I had a loose negative terminal on my 2nd gen TLS. If I would slam the door wrong the car wouldnt start and no power LOL Slam it again and it would start. Then I figured out it was the terminal and fixed it.
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 08:50 AM
  #6  
FatNoah's Avatar
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Wow - your 4 yr old came and got you
He's a surprisingly good driven. When he drives the kiddie bumper cars he usually manages to avoid contact.


In terms of battery symptoms - have you experienced the non-telescoping steering wheel?
No, but I have experienced the crotch crushing steering wheel. That usually occurs when my wife uses the car with my key and both raises the seat and lowers the steering wheel. I close the door and OUCH!

Check the terminal bolts and the contact with the battery.
It looks like that was the issue. I wiggled stuff around last night but I couldn't see much as it was getting very dark. Negative terminal is definitely loose and after some futzing around, was able to get things going again.



Thanks for everyone's replies!
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