SMS under seat wires and a dead MGF

[mgleaver]

Hi all

My 1998 F SMS light is on permnetly so I tried jiggling the under seat wires, The drives seat wires came out of the connector completly and like a fool I reconnected without any thought about which wire goes where (the conectors are not original MG)

When I then tried to start the engine absolutley nothing the keys just turns no clicking of a dead battery or a stuck starter. The lights, alarm, radio and the bloody SMS light are all working fine.

I have checked the fuses under the dash and under the bonnet which are all ok. So is the non starting and SMS wires a coincidence or have crossed the wires and coursed an electrical problem.

Your help will be much appreciated

[RobboMC]

The not-starting issue sounds like the ECU might have decided the car has been stolen.

The car will not start unless the doors are unlocked with the alarm button.

I suggest you -
1) fold the hood down so you don't lock yourself out
2) lock and unlock the car with the alarm button 2-3 times
3) unlock the car with the alarm button and start the car within 30 seconds

[mgleaver]

Thanks for that I will give it a go in the morning

[RobboMC]

Also give the battery a bit of charge if you can lay your hands on a charger.

These days cars with an ECU don't turn over slowly, if the ECU senses a low battery voltage it just tells the starter system to Stop!

[Rob Bell]

The SRS system will not prevent the car from starting, so I suspect the non-starting is likely incidental and perhaps the most likely explanation is that the battery is flat?