Hello -

Weird dashboard warning sign came on -parked and switched car off! Could not get key fob out of ignition. Car totally DEAD!! Help! False alarm! Terminal on battery was loose - thank goodness it was something so simple and inexpensive. Now I have to figure out when to replace it as it's the original, nearly 5 years old. Do you get it from dealer or go to an automotive store. 37,000 miles and I drive highways mainly.

 

What was the warning sign?

I've seen this happen in other cars when the main battery has gone south.

 

It happened so quick so I am not 100% - it was a circle within brackets (O)

 

Like the bottom image here?

 

I guess miss read the dashboard sign as neither of these images were it. I checked owner manual and nothing jogged memory : ( I do remember headlights flashed off and back on really quickly. I was able to get into parking spot with no problem and park. Turned car off but unable to take key fob out of ignition. I ended up taking key out but leaving fob in. Absolutely no electrical in car. Had to lock car with key and window not flushed in as usual.

 

Brake pads? Push the fob in instead of just pulling on it ?! I dunno scary

 

That sounds like it could indeed be the battery....

 

Did you see other warning lights or just this one? In alternator failure, you'll see the dash light up like a Christmas tree and then nothing.

 

Make sure it's in park and not N or D.

 

Relief no need for a new battery - terminal was loose! Yah!

 

How did you end up with a 5yr old battery in a new Countryman ?

Am I missing something here ?