Started by itself
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Casper WY.
Started by itself
I have a 1989 and while watching a movie at about 11:15 in the evening I heard my car start up. It has no remote start of any kind. After retrieving a firearm, flashlight and the keys I quickly went outside. Both doors were locked there was no key in the ignition but the car was sitting there idling away. I unlocked the door and put the key in and turned it to the on position and shut it off. Nothing happened. I then turned it all the way to start. The starter tried to engaged but grinded so I let off and then turned the key to off and the motor shut off. I have to say I have never seen a car just start up on it's own and just sit there idling. Anyone have any ideas? Should I just start calling the car Christine?
Thanks
k
I forgot to add that when I entered the car the security light was flashing. That was the only unusual thing I noticed besides the car itself running.
Thanks
k
I forgot to add that when I entered the car the security light was flashing. That was the only unusual thing I noticed besides the car itself running.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 23
From: Vancouver WA
If it happens again, get in and see where the car takes you! 
Seriously though, that's crazy. Never heard of that before, on any vehicle. Maybe an intermittent short to the starter, or a faulty ignition switch. Whatever it is, not good. Good luck.
Seriously though, that's crazy. Never heard of that before, on any vehicle. Maybe an intermittent short to the starter, or a faulty ignition switch. Whatever it is, not good. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
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From: WV
This doesn't sound possible at all....The key has to be on for a car to start, and unless the ignition switch makes contact the car can't start on it's own...Someone is screwing with you, or your screwing with us....
...WW
...WW
Last edited by WW7; Apr 29, 2015 at 04:55 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Casper WY.
Trust me I am dead serious. As impossible as it sounds it happened as I said. A buddy of mine came over and felt the motor. At first I thought I think I know what a running motor sounds like and then thought I wouldn't believe it either. I myself have never seen something like this happen ever and not sure how power could have got to the motor and starter without a key.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 574
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From: Windsor Va
2 questions- 1)was the car sitting outside. 2) was it raining?
I ask because 1 of the vehicles I currently own had a problem with water intrusion. It would leak through the firewall and allow water to pool on the power distribution block causing the ignition system to remain energized even with the key out. It never engaged the starter however. Never found the leak.I ended up just spraying rattle can undercoat on the whole firewall. No more problems.
Or it could be aliens.
Bob
I ask because 1 of the vehicles I currently own had a problem with water intrusion. It would leak through the firewall and allow water to pool on the power distribution block causing the ignition system to remain energized even with the key out. It never engaged the starter however. Never found the leak.I ended up just spraying rattle can undercoat on the whole firewall. No more problems.
Or it could be aliens.
Bob
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I have a 1989 and while watching a movie at about 11:15 in the evening I heard my car start up. It has no remote start of any kind. After retrieving a firearm, flashlight and the keys I quickly went outside. Both doors were locked there was no key in the ignition but the car was sitting there idling away. I unlocked the door and put the key in and turned it to the on position and shut it off. Nothing happened. I then turned it all the way to start. The starter tried to engaged but grinded so I let off and then turned the key to off and the motor shut off. I have to say I have never seen a car just start up on it's own and just sit there idling. Anyone have any ideas? Should I just start calling the car Christine?
Thanks
k
I forgot to add that when I entered the car the security light was flashing. That was the only unusual thing I noticed besides the car itself running.
Thanks
k
I forgot to add that when I entered the car the security light was flashing. That was the only unusual thing I noticed besides the car itself running.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 326
From: Mid Ohio
Yeah baby... grab the steel and head out to take care of business! A real American folks 
In my estimation it can only be one of two (mechanical) things.
1. The ignition switch is shorting out internally (unlikely and I've never seen one from a L98 vette) I've only dealt with the old GM style where this kind of thing could happen.
2. The car has a remote starter and you simply didn't know about it. (I've seen this before.. people are convinced they don't have one... but they actually do)
IMO.. if there is a short you need to find out asap. Could cause a fire.
In my estimation it can only be one of two (mechanical) things.
1. The ignition switch is shorting out internally (unlikely and I've never seen one from a L98 vette) I've only dealt with the old GM style where this kind of thing could happen.
2. The car has a remote starter and you simply didn't know about it. (I've seen this before.. people are convinced they don't have one... but they actually do)
IMO.. if there is a short you need to find out asap. Could cause a fire.
Last edited by wydopnthrtl; Apr 30, 2015 at 12:12 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
I had a 89 Continental left the window down once it rained, the power mirror for the door was clicking the next day my neighbour came and told me about it. I went out looked at it sure enough the mirror was trying to move but stuck all the way over. No key in the car.
It turned out the switch had got some water in it,and burned enough to carbonize the plastic or whatever so it was conducting as if the switch was closed. Had to replace that switch. Wonder if any switches could have something like this going on?
Probably a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. One night I heard the dog barking a lot looked out my window saw 2 guy by my car doors open. I went outside without thinking luckily they were gone. Found the ignition cylinder or part of it in the seat and the stereo halfway out.
Cars not worth dying for but I was fearless.
It turned out the switch had got some water in it,and burned enough to carbonize the plastic or whatever so it was conducting as if the switch was closed. Had to replace that switch. Wonder if any switches could have something like this going on?
Probably a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. One night I heard the dog barking a lot looked out my window saw 2 guy by my car doors open. I went outside without thinking luckily they were gone. Found the ignition cylinder or part of it in the seat and the stereo halfway out.
Cars not worth dying for but I was fearless.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Casper WY.
Thanks for the comments everyone. I know this was a weird problem certainly something I never have seen before..I will certainly look into it with the information I have received unless it's an actual ghosts or aliens then I just have to deal with it on a as it happens basis..lol
Pro
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Windsor Va
