Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
#1
Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
Went out to start my 2008 FEH this morning and it did all the normal noises and motions except start. Dash reads Stop Safely Now. Red triangle on top right of dash. Engine light blinking intermittently and anti theft blinking quickly.
Recent service: 2 weeks ago Just had the axle replaced. Then my differential went out so I had that replaced. Drove like new.
2 days ago we changed the oil (I have checked it over, no leaks, oil filter is there, and level is fine)
Things I have tried:
Another key.
Disconnecting the red wire for 1 hour to reset the computer.
Bought an OBD II scanner but it says no codes are there.
Things I read that could be wrong:
Antitheft has us locked out (not sure how or why this would happen)
Throttle body needs cleaned out
Replace the 6 relays in the fuse box
Jump start the hybrid battery (how do you do this?)
Any input would be great as I just spent 800 dollars not he axle and differential this month and would like this to be an easy fix. So please only good news lol.
Recent service: 2 weeks ago Just had the axle replaced. Then my differential went out so I had that replaced. Drove like new.
2 days ago we changed the oil (I have checked it over, no leaks, oil filter is there, and level is fine)
Things I have tried:
Another key.
Disconnecting the red wire for 1 hour to reset the computer.
Bought an OBD II scanner but it says no codes are there.
Things I read that could be wrong:
Antitheft has us locked out (not sure how or why this would happen)
Throttle body needs cleaned out
Replace the 6 relays in the fuse box
Jump start the hybrid battery (how do you do this?)
Any input would be great as I just spent 800 dollars not he axle and differential this month and would like this to be an easy fix. So please only good news lol.
#2
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
You can start by jump starting the 12V battery. Do it just like any other car. I prefer to use a portable jumper battery rather than risk harming a 2nd vehicle.
If you have something to check 12V battery voltage do that first.
If you have something to check 12V battery voltage do that first.
#3
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
So you want me to jump start the 12v battery even though it is already running the lights and turning the car on (not the engine)? Will jump starting that battery also jump start the big battery in the back? If not how do I jump start the hybrid battery?
#4
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
The 12V battery can run the accessories, yet still have too little charge to energize the relays that connect the big battery on startup.
My 12V battery failed this week. I don't recall seeing the warning icons you mention, but it was otherwise as you describe.
My 12V battery failed this week. I don't recall seeing the warning icons you mention, but it was otherwise as you describe.
#5
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
Okay so if it is not the 12v battery how do I charge/jump start the hybrid battery?
#6
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
You don't. It charges from the motor/generator. There is no provision for external charging or jump-starting. The big battery will almost always have enough energy to spin the motor that starts the ICE, and then it can recharge that battery. But nothing happens if you don't have 12V in sufficient amperage to energize those 3 big relays that connect the big battery to everything else.
#7
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
You don't. It charges from the motor/generator. There is no provision for external charging or jump-starting. The big battery will almost always have enough energy to spin the motor that starts the ICE, and then it can recharge that battery. But nothing happens if you don't have 12V in sufficient amperage to energize those 3 big relays that connect the big battery to everything else.
#8
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
I think the relays rarely fail. Certainly they would not all fail at once. You can hear them click when you first turn the key.
Your next step is to download and install FORscan and use it with a OBD adapter - ELM327 or similar - and a laptop. You can't see the hybrid drive codes with a standard OBD2 scanner.
Your next step is to download and install FORscan and use it with a OBD adapter - ELM327 or similar - and a laptop. You can't see the hybrid drive codes with a standard OBD2 scanner.
#9
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
I think the relays rarely fail. Certainly they would not all fail at once. You can hear them click when you first turn the key.
Your next step is to download and install FORscan and use it with a OBD adapter - ELM327 or similar - and a laptop. You can't see the hybrid drive codes with a standard OBD2 scanner.
Your next step is to download and install FORscan and use it with a OBD adapter - ELM327 or similar - and a laptop. You can't see the hybrid drive codes with a standard OBD2 scanner.
#10
Re: Car won't start / Red Triangle / Stop Safely Now
FORscan is PC software.
ELM327 plugs into the OBD2 port and transmits via Bluetooth (or wifi) to the laptop running FORscan. Google Forscan.
This setup is what you use instead of the scanner you have already tried
ELM327 plugs into the OBD2 port and transmits via Bluetooth (or wifi) to the laptop running FORscan. Google Forscan.
This setup is what you use instead of the scanner you have already tried