Car wont start (white start button)

[NickVenice]

Hi guys

I'm in need of some advice which might save me towing the car to the dealer.

Had a flat battery, AA assist came out to jump start the car, connected jumper cables directly to battery behind back seat which made all the lights come back on. Windows, dash, seat, etc. all working again ... but the start button just wouldn't turn red. AA kept revving engine on their car to properly charge the Aston battery but button wouldn't turn red regardless.

Tried spare key and fob (open/close) to override immobiliser but still nothing. Start button just kept staying white, so looks like a proper immobiliser issue. Obviously not very keen on towing it to dealer if avoidable.

Any advice on how to get the start button to turn red?

Nick

Edited by NickVenice on Saturday 19th March 12:46

[Cerberaherts]

Switch the ignition on and look at the instruments, is there a flashing red light?

[Flooble]

Would you be annoyed if I suggested a tin of paint :-)

[Neil1300r]

What car / year?
could be battery isolator switch, but unlikely if you've got windows working?
What lights are on the dash?
If a manual - is the clutch pedal fully depressed? I know its obvious but worth checking

[Blaster72]

Have a look at this old thread, there's a few suggestions in there

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=123...

[NickVenice]

Cerberaherts said:

Switch the ignition on and look at the instruments, is there a flashing red light?

Regrettably there's no flashing red light.

Neil1300r said:

What car / year? What lights are on the dash?

DB9 (56 reg) automatic - No error messages apart from an old "Time for service" (had service 4 months ago). The yellow engine light and red oil light are showing, but apart from that nothing else. Windows are working as well.

Edited by NickVenice on Saturday 19th March 14:23

Edited by NickVenice on Saturday 19th March 14:24

[South tdf]

I am no expert but both my Vantages (Sportshifts) had starting problems. The 1st one was the brake pedal switch so maybe worth a quick check of this. My current car had a tracker failure a couple of years ago which meant a trip to the dealers who replaced the unit under warranty (which is probably not much help to you). Hope you get it resolved!

[GenialZ]

I know it sounds stupid but: lock it and unlock it with the fob.

I spent a very embarrassing 15 minutes stationary in the petrol station trying to start the car. First day of Aston ownership. Rang Stratstones who suggested it. It worked; what can I say?

[Al 450]

Probably the brake pedal switch, check halfway up the pedal and push the plunger in by hand to see if the button turns red. Also check the wiring at the back.

[SS972]

We had a similar problem, it needed to re arm the yellow switch on top of the battery fixing (under the rh rear saet)

[deadpixel]

I had a similar issue, battery voltage not enough to keep the relay closed so I had to hold the battery cutoff reset switch whilst starting and held it down to charge.

[NickVenice]

Thanks for all the replies - I've left the car for 24 hours and tried charging the battery again but this time through the bonnet (jumper cables and another car). Kept charging it for about 20-30 minutes, red start button came back on and once there was enough charge the car started again

Edited by NickVenice on Tuesday 22 March 20:44

[cayman-black]

Good news. Needs a new battery though imo.

[westhumbler]

I had this problem today after getting a low battery message yesterday after returning from holiday with the car sitting idle for two weeks. I hooked the battery up to the AML battery conditioner last night and expected the car to be fine this morning - it wasn't! So I then tried my CTEK conditioner and left that running all day. When it showed the battery was fully charged I eagerly switched on but the car was still dead. Checked the forums out and re-read the owners manual which referred me to a yellow button above the battery under the rear seat. Pushed the button, the car made all sorts of humming and whirring noises and presto! the start button was red. Pressed it and started first go.

I guess the CTEK conditioner must have reset something in the system and the yellow button cleared it.

[Eeyore9]

The yellow button on the battery is exactly for the reason if you leave car unused for longer periods you activate by pushing yellow button this disables all electrics apart from the alarm, it’s puts battery into sleep mode and it supposedly can go up to 40 days like this.when needed again same procedure depress yellow button to activate battery again.there is a procedure to go through with the key (emotional control or key) to do after but can’t remember what it is with key!

[K33LER]

I’ve copied and pasted this from the thread above about my immobiliser experience. Just may help someone in the future looking up on this thread...


I had just had mine serviced at Sevenoaks Aston Martin. Drove it home and then went to take it out again. Nothing! The engine simply wouldn’t start. I changed the battery, not the issue. I had an error message come up about the key but can’t remember exactly. Something like PATS SYSTEM ERROR. The battery switch error also came up. I looked for all sorts of stuff (fuses, relays, continuity etc) but after a load of research, I found out that the steering column has a key reader right beside the ignition key switch. I got right up under the dash and started squeezing all the electrics plugs together and I heard a ‘click’ which was the key being recognised by the immobiliser.

The fact that I’d found the poor contact by squeezing the relevant electrical plugs together meant the contact was made and the car could start. Probably would have cost a lot as when I contacted AM at Sevenoaks, they suggested a new immobiliser or something wrong with the tracker. Would have needed to be trailered away too.

I did think it was down to the dealership but I doubt that now, just coincidence. However, they did change the key fob battery. That was in the service so I put two n two together.

Wasn’t impressed with the comments “l can assure you it’s nothing we’ve done sir”. I mean, how could they really know? I’d just spent £800 with them only to brush me off. It was also my first attempt to drive the car after the service.

Hope this experience helps someone in the future. Took me two weeks to diagnose

[David W.]

Bamford Rose Mike has just put a very interesting video on YouTube covering electrical issues caused by tracker unit.

[Nashz]

Hello Folks,

I am new to this thread. Yes I have seen many posting on the same issue. Looks like it is a different problem every time. I have a 2009 DB9. Was working fine . Battery was low & didn't have the Aston martin charger so I used a charger I always use & charge the battery from under the hood. I have done this before. Next morning when I checked, tail lights & interior lights were flashing . Tried to start the car & the FOB does not become red although there were no error messages & the dash lights were OK. I could move the seats & windows. Sounded like the engine is cranking but a weird sound. But check engine & all other lights are on , similar to when u first try to start a car. I had to press the "Battery reconnect" because of the flashing lights. Lot of people talking about a "Battery Reconnect" switch behind the seats.

• * I can not find this in this car. If the windows / seats are working that means car is getting power, right ?. In the manual it says once you push the fob, battery should connect but someone said it was wrong & he found this reconnect switch.

I have no idea what is going on. First thing is why were the lights flashing after I charged the battery. Never happened. Sorry for the long post