Weird starting issue

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Nov 20, 2015 | 03:39 PM

rrwirsi

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 3,399

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From: Havre de Grace Maryland

Weird starting issue

After driving around in my 04 m6 today, I stopped at the grocery store. Came out, pushed the clutch in while in reverse with parking brake on and turned the key to start and nothing. All the dash lights on, gages moved but no start. So, I went to 1 year old Delco battery, made sure all connections were tight, and still no start. Put Car in neutral push the clutch in and still no start. Tried to start in all the other gears, but still no start. So, being 10 miles from home and not wanting to get a tow truck, I decided to push the car and do the pop clutch start method. It did not work. Why, this idiot forgot to put the key in the ignition and turn it on.

So I inserted the key and said what the h*ll and turned it to start and it started. Whew, missed the 'bullet' (again, long story) but reading the Forum and all the C5 glitches with starting issues, I know it will happen again. Next time I will not be lucky. So, I thinking it may be the clutch switch, ignition switch or something else. Any other ideas? Thanks.

Nov 20, 2015 | 05:24 PM

BRKLYN

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,061

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From: The Natures Coast/Caribbean

Same thing happened to me two weeks ago. Got jumped and got stranded a week later. New starter, 98 with 96k on it, stock no mods. Running good as new....

Nov 20, 2015 | 08:34 PM

El original

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 3,146

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From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada

As 8VETTE7 mentioned check and clean your key pellet with some isopropyl alcohol (a shot of vodka for yourself) and see if that helps

Last edited by El original; Nov 20, 2015 at 08:36 PM.

Nov 21, 2015 | 06:07 AM

dadaroo

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 6,835

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From: Columbia SC

A classic starter issue when it is going out is that it will work when cold but when hot and you stop and try to crank the car it will be very sluggish or not work at all. Let it cool and it will.

Probably more likely the ignition switch.

Nov 21, 2015 | 07:59 AM

rrwirsi

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 3,399

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From: Havre de Grace Maryland

Thanks all. I will check my codes after the temps warms up. It is frigging cold out now (car stays outside). Will do the clean key suggestion. If it is the ignition switch as Mr. Sam opines, would spraying inside it from the front with electronic cleaner do any harm/good?

Nov 21, 2015 | 10:48 AM

rrwirsi

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 3,399

Likes: 1,339

From: Havre de Grace Maryland

The only thing you can spray electronic cleaner inside is the key cylinder which is NOT the ignition switch. The key cylinder turns the ignition switch which is directly behind the cylinder. But the parts that go bad in the ignition switch are not accessible from the key cylinder.[/QUOTE]

Thanks 8VETTE7. Pulled the codes. P1631H -Theft deterrent system password incorrect and B2723H Key detection Circuit.

Appears the issue is either the switch, key or both. Agree?

Nov 21, 2015 | 01:22 PM

rrwirsi

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 3,399

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From: Havre de Grace Maryland

Notice the tiny wire and wiper on one side that is missing on the other side of cover for the key cylinder.

Yes, I see the missing wire. I will give feedback on whether its working or not. Thank you for your help

Dec 3, 2015 | 03:59 PM

rrwirsi

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 3,399

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From: Havre de Grace Maryland

Update on my starting problem. After 2 weeks of driving and about 20+key insertion starts, I have had no further issues as first reported. I did all the key and ignition cleaning that was recommended. Hopefully, that was the problem. Thanks all for the fix recommendations.