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My mother-in-law drove over this morning to pick up my wife, and when they tried to leave the car wouldn't start. Not only that; the horn honked, the wipers started, the trunk popped open, and the brights turned on. It did not start.

Is this a grounding problem, or is there some simpler solution? If it's a grounding problem, how do I locate it?

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    Does "did not start" mean that the ignition didn't even cause the starter motor to rotate? Or did the starter motor turn but the engine never reached idle? – Bob Cross♦ Jan 11 '13 at 12:37
  • "Weirdness" stinks of a battery failure, but we need more information. Have you attempted to jump or bump start the vehicle? – Dan Jan 11 '13 at 12:53
  • Some more to help diagnose the problem: If you turn on the interior lights and the headlights, do the lights dim when you try to start the car or do they stay the same? – jwernerny Jan 11 '13 at 13:55
  • I don't notice any dimming, but then again, the brights are coming on as soon as the key turns. I don't hear the starter turning at all. Can't jump or bump it at the moment. – Präriewolf Jan 11 '13 at 14:49
  • Happened to me tonight with wide and New born in the car. Thanks for the info. Now to try to find out how to reset the computer – user7197 Oct 12 '14 at 1:50
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A computer reset fixed the problem. I find this somewhat disconcerting that the computer could execute such ridiculous commands based off a turned key.

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    Congrats and that's really odd. If it happens again, please come back and add to this saga: if it can happen to you, it's happening to someone else who's also going to be terribly frustrated. – Bob Cross♦ Jan 14 '13 at 19:23

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