MashupMark Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 No, I'm not Johnny 5 My lovely little beemer has developed the most annoying problem ever I put my key in the engine, turn it, the usual lights come on, when I turn it up to position 2 to start the car, it cuts out, does not try to start, and the stereo/lights/clock etc all go out, as if there was a short circuit somewhere There are then some grinding type noises from the dash, for 30 seconds or so then nothing. I then repeat the process, key in, turn etc and it usually starts first time! Any idea why this happens? It drives me mad! I sometimes have to go to the boot, disconnect the battery and reconnect for it to work I've recently replaced the battery, so its not that. Any help would be amazing! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Maybe it is the battery in the car, or the car doesn't like the key's electronics since you changed it? Does the other key behave the same way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARIF Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Sounds like a bad starter motor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MashupMark Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Its a new battery. The keys haven't changed. I was hoping someone would have experienced this before and have a solution Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MashupMark Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Sounds like a bad starter motor Hmm... would that cause the car to short out and "reboot"? (The clock displays --:-- etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARIF Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 It could do,a bad solenoid will suck a load of current which is why all your electrics are starved of juice,when you say reboot does the clock loose it's time setting ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MashupMark Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 It could do,a bad solenoid will suck a load of current which is why all your electrics are starved of juice,when you say reboot does the clock loose it's time setting ? Yes. All the status lights go off on the dash, the clock goes off, radio and blowers etc all switch off, then the grinding noise. After the noise stops, the car seems to reset, the clock shows --:-- and the cd changer in the boot runs through the CD check routine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARIF Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I would put bets on it being the starter,get it checked out from an auto electrician/AA/RAC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MashupMark Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 You're a lovely man! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Could well be a started problem as Arif said, but I would also consider a bad connection at the battery either positive or negative could well do this also check the earth to the chassis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
