Turn the Key, and Nothing
Chronic Tool Dropper
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From: Bend, Oregon
Yep. Didn't pick up on the 5-speed part. So no starter relay, instead a jumper in the relay socket. So 50 from the key goes through the relay socket jumper, on through the 14-pin under the hood, on to the starter solenoid. Lots of diagnostic things you don't have to do.
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From: Austin, Texas
So when you say nothing do you mean no lights in any of the key positions or simply no starter engagement?
Mine began doing the no starter engagement thing a few weeks back. I would get all the lights to illuminate but no starter engagement. It started out as intermittent, would not engage on one attempted and then did start normally the next try. Finally would not do anything but at least failed completely in the drive way. I jumped the starter at the 14 pin connector so all that was good.
I pulled the electrical part of the ignition switch off the back of the key lock cylinder and it starts every time using a screw driver.
There is a "control cam" PN 928 347 755 02, that connects the cylinder lock to the electrical ignition switch. On older cars that interface piece wears or breaks not allowing full torque to the ignition switch to engage the starter.
Still have not installed mine but have the ignition switch hanging under the dash and a flat tip screwdriver and it starts every time.
Mine began doing the no starter engagement thing a few weeks back. I would get all the lights to illuminate but no starter engagement. It started out as intermittent, would not engage on one attempted and then did start normally the next try. Finally would not do anything but at least failed completely in the drive way. I jumped the starter at the 14 pin connector so all that was good.
I pulled the electrical part of the ignition switch off the back of the key lock cylinder and it starts every time using a screw driver.
There is a "control cam" PN 928 347 755 02, that connects the cylinder lock to the electrical ignition switch. On older cars that interface piece wears or breaks not allowing full torque to the ignition switch to engage the starter.
Still have not installed mine but have the ignition switch hanging under the dash and a flat tip screwdriver and it starts every time.
Last edited by jwillman; May 11, 2016 at 08:30 AM.
Chronic Tool Dropper
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From: Bend, Oregon
The 50 circuit participates in the X-relay function, the one that isolates the fog lights and more while the key is in start position. If the X-relay clients drop out when key is turned, problem is almost certainly not the ignition switch.
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From: Philly PA
FWIW I had a no start with my 85 Euro quick test is to add power to the 14 pin 50 wire if the starter runs then its everything before the 14 pin.
On mine the ignition switch was messed with and the swages that held it together were not tight,
so the switch was pressing itself apart.
I found this by mistake by pressing the wire connector onto the switch the car started normally.
I removed the switch and pressed it in a C clamp and then tightened the swages with a punch switch hasnt missed a beat.
On mine the ignition switch was messed with and the swages that held it together were not tight,
so the switch was pressing itself apart.
I found this by mistake by pressing the wire connector onto the switch the car started normally.
I removed the switch and pressed it in a C clamp and then tightened the swages with a punch switch hasnt missed a beat.
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From: Austin, TX
Thread Starter
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From: Austin, TX
RL Community Team
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From: Clemson, SC
My '79 just started doing this too, along with some other intermittent issues - dash pod lights not working, tech not working. It doesn't do all of these at the same time, but in random combinations. I find that if I continue holding the key to the right in the start position, it always turns over after a 1-2 second delay. I think it's my ignition switch starting to go bad, but see if yours will turn over if you hold the key to the right.
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From: Fresno, CA (summer in Calgary)
In my S4 auto I solved this problem by changing the starter relay. If you don't have one then... I'm baffled? In my experience the relay panel can experience strange gremlins due to loose or partially failed relays. I once had a situation where the HVAC system would go dead until you jiggled the window relay. Next time it fails, try turning the key with your left hand over to 'start', while leaning down and knocking on the relay panel with your right hand. I started my car this way for several weeks before I finally replaced the starter relay (d'oh).