E30 Zone

hi peeps a couple of times now u have put my keys into the ignition and gone to turn it over all the lights on the dash stereo etc switch off and nothing happens starting wise but then a couple of seconds later I try again and its fine it seems like it only happens if i turn the key quickly when im starting it?? its a 92 316i touring any ideas? from what i can see its never had an imobilizer fitted an the starter motor has never gave me any trouble

Check your battery connections, including the connection of the smaller wires to the positive clamp.

did do the first time it happened they seemed to all be solid ill go and have another look now tho

there is a very slight bit of play on the positive terminal ill give it a tighten up in th morning and see if that solves it cheers bri

Is there a chance this is an ignition switch fault; not clipped on properly at the back of the barrel, for example?

I thought that as it does have a snapped clip on but that wouldn't make the dash lights etc go off would it?

Hello, had a similar problem with mine,the obc,radio,and rear rights would not work and if you pressed the brake pedal all lights would go off,after a lot of troubleshooting I tried the ignition - dismantled the plastic thing at the back of the switch cleaned all the contacts and all is OK now. Be careful though when you dismantle make sure you but all the bits and pieces in as you take them out as there is some springs and washers in that could be confusing if you don't make a note when dismantling.