I went out to my car this morning and it didn't start. It drove fine on Monday (the day before yesterday). I thought it might have been low on gas, so I emptied a 4 gallon gas can into it. Still no starting.

When I insert the key, I hear the chime I'm supposed to, to let me know th key is in. When I turn to the ON position, I notice the arrow light on the right side of the display is flashing. Also, the lights on the SPORT/ECON button flash to whichever they're set to, but when I press the WINTER button, the orange SPORT light flashes, but the green ECON does not.

I talked with my mechanic and he said it sounded like a fuel pump issue. I got under the car and banged on the bottom of the gas tank near the center with a rubber mallet while Dad tried to start it. It didn't work, but I heard what I think is the fuel pump turning on. I tried a few more times with no success.

I tried the ratcheting of my gear shifter like I sometimes had to do when it was cold. It didn't seem to help because the car still hasn't started and the flashing arrow is still there.

I also tried disconnecting the battery for a few minutes, in hopes that it would reset the system. That didn't work either.

I tried letting it sit for a while because I had read that that might be a solution. Doesn't seemed to have panned out.

I don't know if it's sparking because I don't know how to get a spark plug out and see.

I don't know if it's consequential but we did have a nasty thunderstorm last night. It rained for hours and our power was out all night. I really don't know what could have happened that would have caused the car to be fine on Monday and then not fine Wednesday (today).

I would really appreciate any help. I don't know what else to do except have my car towed to my mechanics (which is about 45 minutes away) and have him work on it, which might not be for a few days. At the very least, if I could get it started, then I could drive it there myself. I hope I made this detailed enough.

Regards,
Richard