weird starting electrical issue

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
Rorym2010
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 488
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: leamington spa

Thu May 16, 2013 7:49 pm

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
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Thu May 16, 2013 7:58 pm

Check your battery connections, including the connection of the smaller wires to the positive clamp.
Rorym2010
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 488
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: leamington spa

Thu May 16, 2013 8:11 pm

did do the first time it happened they seemed to all be solid ill go and have another look now tho
Rorym2010
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 488
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: leamington spa

Thu May 16, 2013 8:22 pm

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
Grrrmachine
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
Posts: 8043
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Warsaw, Poland

Thu May 16, 2013 8:26 pm

Is there a chance this is an ignition switch fault; not clipped on properly at the back of the barrel, for example?
Rorym2010
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 488
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: leamington spa

Thu May 16, 2013 8:58 pm

I thought that as it does have a snapped clip on but that wouldn't make the dash lights etc go off would it?
User avatar
sakkadas
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: CYPRUS

Thu May 16, 2013 9:40 pm

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.
Post Reply