Here’s what’s happening.
I have a 2005 SRT6 Roadster and took it to the golf course, put the top up, and it sat for 6 hours. I went to leave and the key fob will not work and I mean nothing, no panic nothing. I open the door with the key and the tow alarm shut off switch is blinking, I try to start it and it turns over but will not stay started. This happens two or three times and then nothing, it will not turn over. All the lights on the dash are on and the interior lights are on but also the lights on the outside, (fog, running and parking) are blinking. The blinking stops after awhile but the tow alarm light still blinks and it will not go off. I change the batteries in the key fob and nothing changes and I try to jump it and nothing changes. I had it towed to my house and its now sitting in the garage. Where do I start?
Thanks

 

The blinking and the "Starts three times, then nothing" has come up before.

This is a security system/SKREEM module problem. But i dont remember the resolution.

I suspect you will not wait long for an answer - I just dont remember the answer. Read it, but didn't retain it.

 

Some have had luck with a battery charger.. ignition on 3 hours and Voodoo Dust.. Skreem module will probably pull those threads up.

Most end up at the dealer getting a replacement. And if done right the "Secrete Code" in the module can be retrieved to keep from having to buy new keys to go along with it.

Seems about $600 is the going rate.

 

What about diconnecting the battery? Would reset the module like rebooting a computer?

 

Read this.
When he disconnected the battery and the SKREEM it seems to have done it.
I'd try disconnecting the battery first though.

 

Disconnected the battery cleaned the terminals and when I reconnected, it started right up!!!

This is bitter sweet because I don't know why it happen originally, is it a symptom of something to come or did the car just need a reboot?

Thanks for the help

 

How old is that battery? How bad were the terminals looking?

Did you follow the battery ground cable down to where it attached to the chassis - and how does THAT look? Mine was so bad I bought a new battery ground cable when I replaced the battery almost 3 years ago.

"Dirty power" is a REAL problem with microprocessor-based systems. The system that is your entire car has NUMEROUS microprocessors in it.

 

I believe (and don't get mad) it's the original battery, the car has 26,000 miles.The negative terminal had allot of corrosion around it so I cleaned it with asolution of baking soda and water put a little grease around the post and the connecter and reconnected them. I did not look any further down the line but I will tomorrow.

Your point about dirty power is well taken and it's probably a good time to start looking for a new battery. Any suggestions?

 

Yea, buy one tomorrow.


I liked my SuperStart 48-72 from O'Reilly's. It meets the specs, but is a 'cheapie', was $85 back in 2010. I buy cheap batteries that meet the specs, and replace them every three or four years - I know others spend $185 and try to get 7 years out of them but I prefer to have a new battery in my car.

This is nothing new, I've been like this for 35 years.

Most others here will recommend much better batteries, you can search the tech threads or just use the search box for "Battery" and see what you get. Keep the terminals clean and make sure you investigate what the ground bolt looks like - mine only had 44,000 on it when I got it and the ground lug/bolt was AWFUL.

 

I replaced mine with this one for $119 in February 2009
No issues at all ever since

Battery Replacement - Interstate MTP-91

 

And my "cheapie" is, now, almost as much as that one.

 

Just replaced my OEM with the Walmart Everstart MAXX-H6. Cost $99.00 plus fee and core until I brought old one back. I brought back an old lawn tractor battery in place of the XF battery and got the core back. Less than $110.00 and no problems since (got the raising spoiler and click-click once, OEM was almost 6 yrs old). No problems since and very reasonable!