Electrical Gremlins

[TheDutch]

Found one of these sh*theads mucking about with my car the other day and now it's playing up



When turning on the ignition the dash lights occasionally fail to illuminate i.e. it's all off; however I can still make the engine turn over but get no ignition. If I then take the key out and try again it seems to work correctly. There has been one instance when it didn't come on initially, but then after a one second delay it did.

Is there a relay or switch which is failing? I don't much like wondering if I'm going to be stranded at some point, or if it does it while on the move. Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers,

Neil

[Brianmoooore]

Sounds like the ignition switch itself, or the plug and socket for it clipped half way down the steering column.
When it's acting up, check for 12V (with a small lamp ) on the + terminal of the ignition coil.

[TheDutch]

Brian, is the ignition switch you mention part of the barrel? I don't suppose it's really serviceable in any way if it is. I'd be suprised if it is the connector on the column, as it does behave like a failing switch or relay. And if I check the ignition coil will that help trace the problem further? (it's a 318iS, if that makes any difference)

Thanks for the reply, I had an inkling you might be able to help (I was tempted to enter the subject as "Brian help please", but I knew the "electrical gremlins" line would have the same effect!)

Neil

[Brianmoooore]

The bit of the ignition switch you want is the plastic piece at the back.
Take the steering wheel and column shrouds off, and the indicator switch as well to make access easier, and you will see two clips holding the switch onto the barrel assembly.
iS doesn't have the convenient test point on the coil like other E30s.
Open your glovebox instead. The glovebox lamp is off the green ignition wire circuit, via fuse 10.
This light should come on with the ignition switch, and stay on while cranking and with the engine running.

[TheDutch]

Brian the extent of your knowledge is quite sick. Have you considered Mastermind? Specialist subject:- E30 Electrics Including Insane Amounts Of Detail. And that's the special bit; most people go "oh there's a switch on the barrel, forget how it goes, but it's straightforward when you see it", but Moooooore knows more.

Right so I'll check when it next occurs, but these sporadic faults have a habit of only showing up when you're not looking for them...

Thanks again,

N