Folks, I took my sweet time installing a new Pioneer AppRadio (SPH-DA120). It was a pain because of the tight confines, black color everywhere, and poorlighting in my garage. But its done!

Upon turning to start the engine, the starter doesn't engage, instead I get some rapid clicking and the instrument panel display goes dark.

It resets if I press the lock and unlock buttons on the remote. All the switches work, and headlights come on, hazards work, etc. but the starter will not engage when I turn the key.

Based upon googling, it appears that the keys may need to be registered with the ECU/etc. in the car which is dealer thing. None of the things I've found on the web seem to fix this. Anyone come across a similar problem? What was the fix? TIA, Rich

xxxxxxxxx Final Update:
Thanks to Beezee and SQuaLz for the help! It was the battery because as soon as I replaced the battery, it started first time just like always. The old battery was only about a year and a half old! And I thought for sure that the battery couldn't be the problem as I had it on a trickle charger and everything. So I hope I didn't fry the old battery with my radio install, but I'll figure that out soon enough. The new battery is on a trickle charger and I expect it to be fully charged by morning. There is salt on the roads her, so I won't be taking the Z out anytime soon, but the Appradio looks to be pretty nice (no amps used). Once again I learn how fickle modern cars are about their batteries!

 

Don't know much about appradio but does the install involve the key or connection to the ecu?

 

Hi Beezee, No, just the stereo connections. But I had to disassemble the center console and many connections and also disconnected the battery's ground for over a week or so while I took my time with this. I also had some magnets for fishing out screws in case I dropped them. i'm just thinking I hosed the coding link between the keys and the ECU bits in the car.

 

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but the sound you describe sounds like a dead battery. Sometimes there will be enough juice to turn on the lights but not enough to start. I will try jump starting first before heading to the dealer. Or put a battery tender on it for a while

 

Beezee, That's good advice, thanks. The battery is less than 2 years old and I have been regularly using the trickle charger so I'm probably ok there. Pulling and testing the battery is certainly a cheaper quick test than having it hauled to the dealer, so I will do that next. I've seen weird stuff happen because of batteries in modern cars!

 

I just installed the same radio a few weeks back and had no issues. I also think it's a dead battery. Nothing in the waterfall would cause this. At most the only things that come to mind are the waterfall gauges not working or the AC/Heat not working. Those are really the only things you touch when removing the waterfall.