Twice my daughter's 2000, 300 has acted like the battery was dead but after the horn was honked it started normally. Trying this was, we thought, an accident the first time - a security guard tried the horn then tried the key and it started and he looked at her like she was an idiot girl - did he know that would work? The next time it did not start, about 4 months later, she tried it herself and it started on the first try after honking the horn. This car is a right hand steer model that was probably wreaked in Japan and exported as salvage. About 115,000 miles on it. Any ideas?

 

Sounds like the Anti-Theft Deterrent system is acting up.
I'd try taking the negative battery terminal off for 20 minutes. This should reset the system.
I've read different ways of doing this. One was putting the ignition key to the auxiliary position, then disconnecting the terminal for 20 minutes.

And just disconnecting the terminal for 20.

Don't know what turning the key to auxiliary has to do with it but must be something with the computer.

 

Welcome to CL dreys.

Starter solenoid (or associated) circuitry (bad connection) seems to be a problem.

Honking the horn, turning the blinkers, counting till 7 are all anecdotal information.

The immobilizer will let you crank but the engine would not catch as the spark to the plugs killed.

Salim

 

Did no one catch the statement where he said it was a RHD model? Here in the US?? You have to post pictures!

Without hijacking the thread, how did the OP import a RHD model into the states? His location is Ohio, apparently.

I'm intrigued...

 

good catch there harrier! Im interested as well too as to how he got that one!

 

Salim, I got to thinking, wouldn't a weak battery in the key fob do this? Also dirty battery terminals?
I always like to start with the simple things and eliminate them.

And yes I caught the part about being a right hand drive but that wasn't the issue.
Likely a serviceman imported it when he was stationed in Japan or England.

 

You are right Vegas300.

I would suggest that OP scans through the sticky thread 'Having problems start here Mega thread'.

I had it open to post in there, hoping that people like you would make the thread richer, but unfortunately members started to post their problems in there.

Although it is intriguing to find out about the location of the vehicle, but here we try to provide help. It is a small world and a dad may be posting for his daughter who is overseas. We can speculate.

Salim