Just returned from a 6 month deployment to my car not starting, expected since I didn't disconnect the battery. I got a new battery and it started, but then wouldn't start again after turning it off, I got it jumped and started driving around and had all sorts of problems, all the lights would turn on, the speedometer and tachometer would drop quickly to 0 and then come back up to normal, and would jerk the car, as if the car died and came back on while I'm driving, I have a good video of the problem that I just uploaded on YouTube. I quickly turned around to go home and when I turned the vehicle off it wouldn't turn on again, even though it's a fresh battery. I'm thinking the problem could be with the alternator? It only had a very small amount of gas before I left for deployment and I filled up a full tank of fresh gas.

Please help, I really need my car to work asap!

Here's the link depicting the problem:

Make sure the connections to the battery are tight. If it's not cranking with a new battery in it that could be the issue.

was it stored in such a way that rodents could have nested in it? maybe some wires were chewed?

 

some security systems detect battery change as tampering, maybe cycle the fob thru lock/unlock a coupla times?

 

CEL on? scan and post the code(s).

Edited February 11, 20179 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

I'm gonna try tightening the battery, also no CEL, the airbag light and passenger seatbelt alarm started going off constantly when all the other lights flashed. This is a really really weird issue

Oh and no rodents I assure you, I'll try the fob thing and post results, thanks for the support guys, keep throwing suggestions at me! And check out the video cause I'm sure it's some spoob you probably haven't seen before lol

did anyone use the car while you were gone?

 

was it running well before you left?

 

after you installed a new battery - it still didn't start until jumped from another vehicle?

 

how many miles on the car?

Totally forgot about that stupid Subaru trait after a battery change. As lucky said, lock and unlock the car a few times with the key fob and then drive it around for a bit. They run weird for a bit after a battery change. But it should still crank so for sure check the terminals. I'm not sure if you meant it wasn't cranking or cranking and not starting.

Hey guys I'm an idiot, didn't tighten the battery enough, thanks for all the help! Works great! And no sadly had no one to take care of my car while I was gone :/

sounds like it didn't matter!  Great

Welcome home btw. Your service is appreciated. I was infantry myself. I miss those days.