My SC430 is hibernating in my garage during the winter. I had been starting the car every couple weeks, but when I went to start the car today, the battery was dead.
I borrowed a battery charger in the hope that I could re-charge the battery. As per the instructions, I hook up the charger.
As soon as I turn the charger on - the car alarm/horn goes on. This even happens with the key in the ignition (not turned).

Whats up with this? What (if anything) am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance

 

I'm not sure exactly what caused the alarm to trigger, but when the alarm starts going off, you can stop the alarm by unlocking the driver's door with the key (the old fashioned way, by putting the key into the slot and turning it).


If that does not work, I don't know what else to suggest. You may have to call the dealer, as maybe the computer brain is dizzy from lack of power for a while.

Good Luck.

 

All alarms do that. Had it happen on my old car, although it had an aftermarket alarm and all I had to do was pull the fuse. Its very normal though, although I dont have a solution.

 

asufrin ...

I have no short-term solution to your problem, but here's a long-term one ...

www.batterytender.com/

I had no problems starting my car last spring after its winter "hibernation", and I don't expect to have any this spring either.

 

I had an issue right after buying my SC430 in which I would leave it in my garage for a week or so and it would be dead. What we eventually found out was that the automatic headlight switch when set to auto draws power when the key is in the off position. The dealer checked a couple of other coupes they had in the showroom, and they also had a similar problem. Based on this, I would recommend turning the headlights to off when storing this car for any period of time. This change took care of the problem for me.

 

Thanks to tfischer - unlocking the doors worked.

 

kpura ...

Good point which sent me directly to the manual where, on page 23, it states, "If you are going to park for over one week, make sure the headlight switch is off." Of course, we all memorized the manual, didn't we?

There are pink-bannered NOTICE boxes all through the manual, many containing information we learned when we were 16. Maybe they should have substituted some of those with the not-so-obvious information unique to this car.