I left the car alone for a couple of hours this afternoon. Then . . . voila, it starts on the first try.

So I left it alone for a few more hours. Back to the flashing lights.

You can see why I want to put the DAS out of my misery. Permanently.

To answer tjts1's question, on my most recent try the battery resting voltage was 12.45 (it was 12.60 this morning, but you'd expect it to get a little lower with each glow plug cycle). With glow plugs on it drops to 11.30. Engine crank drops it to 9.70. This is a 2-month old Bosch battery.

On this car, a 1996, it is not the IR remote that causes the DAS to engage. The IR function hasn't worked in years; I lock and unlock the car with the metal blade key. Yet the DAS is clearly engaging.