So today, I was cleaning out my car. Washing the exterior and vacuuming the interior. I noticed all of a sudden that the subwoofers cut out (they're not recently installed, got them put in a week after the car), then back in, then back out. I didn't think it was much, maybe a short at the amp or something. Except, the lights on the dash started flicking. Again, thought it was the power. Except 20 minutes later, when I tried to start the car, it turned and started, but the dash lights again were flicking, the car was sputtering, and eventually died. Got it towed to the dealer, and the tech tried it and it DIDN'T start at all . Something is VERY wrong with the electrical. Don't know what it could be, haven't made in any changes in months. I'm sad, I don't have my car, and I fear it may be something rather big.

Oh dear. I hope it turns out to be something simple.

By chance, were you using the cigarette lighter when vacuuming?
Or using the stereo (with the car NOT running) for a longer period of time than normal?

The IMA battery can deplete pretty quickly under those circumstances. It could be a related problem.

Or maybe something happened with the regular (12V) battery discharging.

Steve

STOP terrorism - Drive a HYBRID

Vehicles:
350 miles a week ------------ 2006 HCH II, Magnetic Pearl, w/NAVI (born on May 25, 2006)
350 miles a month ---------- 2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
350 miles a year (for now) - 1986 Mercedes 560SL

Or... perhaps it was something the dealer did! Based upon your other post, you just had a service done (with the transmission fluid change)... I'm guessing they may have bumped a harness connector or such during the repair.

Flickering lights means a large drain on the electrical system. Most likely cause is a short somewhere.

Are they aftermarket subs?

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/3686.html

http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/4955.html

Have you seen Stephen King's 'Christine'. Be really careful, or the supernatural spell of your posessed car will make you fall in love with it and you will ride around together killing people for all eternity, or, until the tranny goes. Good luck!

LOL, yes I have the movie. Big "phew" on my part. It was the battery. The day I drove my car home (500 mile trip, overnight), I left my lights on when I got home. I fell asleep and got up to come outside and find the battery dead. I had left the lights on. Well, it killed a cell or two in the battery, and it was never the same. When I would have the A/C on in recirc mode, the car would hesitate and not act right. Well, this too turned out to be caused by the battery not being fully charged. They swapped me out a battery, and now all is well. I'm glad it WAS something simple. That hesitation problem on acceleration was a BIG headache I thought I'd never solve. Who knew that it was ALL related to the little battery....

This was all due to the lead acid battery in the engine compartment (not the IMA battery)?

Yes. The little ol' 12V battery in the engine compartment. Weird I know, apparently it does A LOT more than most of us thought. Never thought that a little battery could do so much....