bmw 316 1987 starting problem

[flatfoot]

Hi all,

First time posting.

Bought a 1987 E30 316 that has, at some time in its existence, had a push button start fitted.

It all seems to work fine, but there seems to be a regular blip.

Sometimes, when turning the key in the ignition, no dashboard lights come on and there seems to be no power connect at all. As a result the push button is useless.

I've tried turning off the electric to no avail. But after a few goes, the power suddenly comes on - and I can't work out why. I thought it was the heater once, then the radio, the headlights, the internal lights - once I was convinced that it was the rear-view mirror electrics, but none are consistently the problem.

Is it a connection problem, or even the battery?

Any help appreciated.

[Grrrmachine]

sounds most likely to be the ignition key itself. If someone's been butchering the wiring for a push-button, heaven knows what they've cut, and where, to make it all work.

Have a read about testing the Ignition Switch:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ion_Switch

You can also test each of the wires here:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... rical#Loom