jg291446

I have an early 95. Once in a while, when I start the car, there is a small delay between when I turn the key and the car start cranking... Maybe one or two seconds without noise before cranking.

Then today, I drove for 45 minutes, stopped the car 2 minutes and it wouldn't start. Absolutely no noise, no crank when the key was at on. Tried to start it for an hour with no success. Got the car towed home and then it started without any hesitation...

Could it be a starter issue? How can I test it?

And sometimes, my key gets stuck in the ignition and is very hard to remove. Could it be related?

Kein_Ersatz

Electrical gremlins, ugh. I'm guessing the ignition switch may be the issue. Not a start symptom I have heard of before. I replaced my starter over a year ago when it began to "act up" (would not engage flywheel when cranking).

During the 1-2 sec delay, are you holding the key steady / still? Do you hear the fuel pump running during that delay?

Tried swapping out the DME Relay when it won't crank (not normally the symptoms, but easy to try)?

C4SJOHN

May be your DME relay, common issue...

TMc993

The DME relay controls the fuel pump, not the starter. Focus on the ignition switch-battery-starter circuit.

AOW162435

Since you've had issues with the key getting stuck, I'd consider replacing the ignition switch. A new one is around $120.



Andreas

jg291446

For $120, you only have the electrical part, right?

The ignition switch (964 613 012 00) is the electrical part that sells for $120. Looks quite easy to replace but I'm not sure it will solve the stuck key issue.

But the tumbler (964 347 917 00) is $1,100 and needs to be ordered new so my keys will fit with it and I will have the same keys for the doors.

From my understanding, the tumbler would be more related to the fact that my key sometimes gets stuck. But the electrical part would be causing the delay in starting the car or not cranking.

If I'm right with what I just wrote, I will use WD40 in the key hole and will replace the electrical part... hoping not to have to spend $1,100...

TMc993

I've avoided WD40 in key/lock applications because it can often gum up over time. I've had good luck with graphite powder. Just use it sparingly.

jg291446

Update : I replaced the switch a few weeks ago. The car was starting normally until now...

Again, I drove the car 30 minutes, stopped it for 5 minutes and it doesn’t start anymore. No noise, the car does not crank...

I heard it could be the starter solenoid... opinions please!!! I'm waiting the towing...

jscott82

Solenoid was my first thought... but I would think you would hear "some" noise...

Key when turned to the "run" position, dash should light up and fuel pump should run. Is that happening?

When turned to the "start" position, do you hear anything at all?

If you hear nothing and I mean nothing (even in a quiet room), its probably the switch. A quick check with a meter on the solenoid will confirm.

If you hear a the solenoid "tick/clunk" when the key is turned but the starter is not engaging / turning then it is probably the solenoid, but could be the starter motor. Either way, you have to pull the starter. You can then bench test it to see what is really going on before ordering parts.

jg291446

Thanks JScott!

That's what my shop did. They just called me. They put the starter on a bench and it doesn't work. Rebuilt starter is "only" 300$ cad ($225US) which is not too bad considering the parts are always more expensive in Canada.

mpruden

Glad it's "only" 300$ cad. Let us know if this finally resolves it.

I'm rocking my original starter at 135k miles and am just waiting for this kind of thing to happen.

Pags993

^ +1 at 109K, will likely just get it done before going away for winter. Would rather avoid th PITA stuck on roadside call and wait game.

jg291446

My starter has been replaced. The car starts as it should.... but it sounds completely different from the previous one...

It sounds more deep, older and less energic. Is this normal?

nine9six

In reading through this post, Im surprised no one recommended checking/cleaning the battery and starter grounds

crg53

If your replacement starter is a rebuild one, you may as well start saving up for a "NEW" one. Do a search on rebuild starters and alternators, you will surprised how many fail after a short period of time. Happened to me as well.
Go www.autopartsway.com and buy your new starter when time comes.
No affiliation"................