So, this is what happened yesterday ~3pm, ~50 degree (F), after an uneventful 30 minutes of city driving. The car is '96 855t, auto. Had taken the car in for the heated seat recall 5 days ago, and driven everyday since without any problem.

Yesterday's scoop, chronologically :

- Stopped the car in the driveway, took the key out as usual, went inside the house for 10 min or so.
- Came back out and the car wouldn't start. All dash indicators come on as usual, radio works, but engine doesn't turn over. No go after several tries.
- My son, against my plea, opens the driver's side door from outside, and the alarm starts going off. My son thinks he broke the car. Took the key out, tried both buttons on the remote, which didn't do a thing. Tied turning the key in the ignition - alarm continues to annoy my neighbors. My 1yo daughter in the back thinks it's funny and starts giggling.
- Alarm turns off by itself (~1 min?? not sure)
- Turn the key again, alarm resumes (doors had been unlocked up until this point) and my daughter now cries.
- Got out, and locked/unlocked the driver's side door with the key, which stopped the alarm finally
- Got back in and turn the key - engine started!

Can't remember when, but at one point, both turn indicators on the dash were blinking very fast, with audible clicks, but much faster than when you press the hazard switch (it wasn't turned on).

What bothered me is, until my son opened the door to set off the alarm, I couldn't figure out how to start the car (jiggling the gear shift didn't work). When the alarm went off, all my thoughts were to figure out how to turn that off, 'cause I was getting embarrassed. Once the alarm got taken care of, the car started fine. So... had my son not opened the door, I think I would've been just stuck till.... ?? I ruled out the infamous lawn mower syndrome, 'cause I didn't move it a short distance.

The car had been running almost flawlessly till yesterday for ~1 yr since the purchase. I say almost 'cause my wife once couldn't start the car on a very, very cold day. It started either on its own, or by jiggling the gear shift.

Any thoughts or similar experience?