Car won't crank over after battery disconnected for 2 weeks

[spinny]

My car is in the body shop getting fixed and the battery was disconnected to weld in a new quarter panel.

Today my buddy went to move it and he hooked the battery back up and went to start the car and it doesn't even crank over.

I asked him if the EPC and CEL were on and they are, so I don't think the ECU is fried.

I know the central locking module is not in the car right now, but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

I'm hoping the ECU is not fried from the welding, but I don't see how that could happen if the battery was disconnected.

I do have an aftermarket alarm, and it was not active when the car was disconnected but maybe as a precaution the alarm goes into a valet mode and kills the starter.

I'm going to try the alarm clicker tomorrow and see if that works, but if it still won't start - does anyone have any other suggestions?

I'm going to bring my laptop and see if I can connect to it with vag-com - at least this way I can tell if it's the ECU or not.

Any other things I should check? thanks.

[mholme]

If your aftermarket alarm is tied into the factory central locking system, then it might not start. Just a guess.

Edit: Is it not cranking at all? Just getting a click? Did they disconnect grounds anywhere?

[spinny]

It's not cranking at all, or clicking. I haven't seen it myself but I trust what he says.

I'm going to bring the central locking module, my viper alarm clicker, and my laptop tomorrow and see what I can figure out.

I *really* hope the ECU is not fried. I think if the EPC/CEL lights were out that would indicate it was. I'll know tomorrow but I'm just trying to gather up some other ideas to test out in case it's not the alarm or central locking module.

[mholme]

It's an electrical issue then. You can crank your car all day long without the ECU plugged in.

[J-tec]

Possibility: over the period that your battery was unplugged, it lost water level/was old, lost its charge and was completely dead.. then try to start it with it, no luck at all.

Might sound stupid but i've heard it happen b4

Good luck man!

[blmlozz]

I agree with j-tec, try charging that battery first.

[spinny]

He already tried to start it with the battery charger and he said all the lights turn on with no problem.


However he said when he first plugged the battery in the lights were dim.

I'm going to bring a multimeter too and make sure I have 12V..

*edit*
I'm also going to check the clutch pedal switch, it could be a fluke but you never know.

[spinny]

Just for future reference - it was the central locking module. Or lack of.. once my buddy plugged it in the car started right up.

[1997gtx]

Good to know. Glad you got the car working again
--Adam

[spinny]

Good to know. Glad you got the car working again
--Adam

Thanks, I just wanted to do a follow up in case someone else has a similar problem and does a search.

I noticed when I search allot of the time, that when the OP finds a solution, they do not post it on the board :(

[1997gtx]

^ Agreed. I was happy to see someone actually posting what the answer is. Definately helps reduce the duplicate threads.

+Rep for you =)
--Adma