Hi, guys, love your show -- long time listener, first time caller...

I pulled the car ('04 RX-8) into the garage Friday evening, and the car was running fine. I went to start it Saturday evening, and it tried to start for nearly a second, then died completely. The starter doesn't turn at all. Accessories function, and it sounds like the solenoid is engaging, but there's absolutely nothing from the starter. The battery is 10 months old after being replaced (with the starter) under the recall.

I dropped in a new battery, still no action from the starter. Now the security light is flashing. I don't -believe- it was flashing before replacing the battery, but I'm unsure of that.

Is it possible that replacing the battery engages the immobilizer, and are there any steps that would be recommended before I have it towed to the dealer?

Thanks!

 

Well, I went back to the car two days later after replacing the battery, and lo and behold, the starter got juice. It was a little tricky, but I eventually got her started. I let it idle for 15+ minutes before making the drive to the dealer. 5 minutes into the drive, and the car wanted to quit at every stoplight -- never mind that it idled fine for 15 minutes. At speed, no problems.

Anyway, I got it to the dealer, and they told me there were 19 error codes registering on the computer. They flashed the module, and she's running right again. But for how long, Mr. Spock, for...how long...

 

won't start but turns