lostcore 73

So it happened again (twice) last night while my wife, son and I were out shopping. The first time the check engine light flashed, I returned the key and then tried again and it started right up. The second time was about 30 minutes later, after driving to another store across the street, and this time the car wouldn't start at all. I noticed that if I held the key in the ignition long enough the check engine light will eventually (after about 5 seconds) start to flash. Each time it flashed 8 times. Called for road side and, after about 45 minutes of waiting for the tow to arrive, the driver tried to start it without luck. He said he hadn't seen the problem before. Had it towed to the dealership. Contacted them first thing this morning - apparently it started right up for them. They are going to see if they can look at it today. On a side note, he said this was only the 2nd edeg he's had to tow in the last 2 years. I took video with my ipod so that they won't think I'm simple and unable to start a vehilce. No one else has ever had a problem like this?

That's what I thought too. But normally the red security icon will stay lit on the display. We tried cycling the locks. My brother is a mech. engineer and got a good laugh at me when I got to his house to pick up the spare keys: "Can't start your own car?" he joked. But when I turned it off and asked him to try it did the same thing, with both keys. That's when we started looking at the fuses and relays. We didn't drive it this weekend because we had a wedding and didn't want the hassle. My wife's been driving it for a day now without issue. I'm hoping it was something wierd that I won't see again.

I tried that when it first happened. Tried starting it in N and then again in P. No luck. I even had someone else try to start it - thinking I was obviously missing something simple with any luck.

I got it back from the dealership today. They said they checked everything - alt, battery, no error messages logged - they couldn't find anything wrong. They suggested waiting until it happens again and having it towed to them. They also suggested waiting for a small period of time before trying to restart as it might be something with the keys. Not a great reply, in my opinion, but I guess I have no choice but to accept it.

Last Thursday I ran into a weird issue where my edge wouldn't start after driving around most of the day. When I turned the key the dash and cluster would light up, radio and all other interior features worked fined, but the engine wouldn't even attempt to start. Made sure it was in park and tried starting in neutral - no luck. Cycled the security locks, nothing. No light for the security system when the key was in the third position. When the key was turned to the third position I could here the fuel pump prime, but nothing else - not starter noise or clicking and nothing from the engine itself. Found info in the owners manual about the key having a chip and to always have a spare key with you in case of a problem. Of course I didn't have the spare so I put in a call to have it brought out to me. After waiting 40 minutes for help to arrive I tried it one more time and it started up fine with the only key I had. Got home and shut it off, tried to restart - nothing again from the engine. Tried the spare key and again nothing. After checking the fuses and relays, I tried swapping a fuse or relay for the fan and starter. Started fine. Switched back and everything was fine. It's in the shop now. I have a pregnant wife that's affraid to drive it because she doesn't want to get stuck somewhere. Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.