6t6

Car wont start. Battery is fine, sure of that. Lights, fuel pump energizes. It just won't engage the starter. Soooooo I plug an OBD scanner to see if it's throwing any codes before it's off to my indie. It has no codes. I select the "clear codes" anyway and clear the codes. With the OBD reader still plugged in I attempt to start and varoom it fires right up. So I'm happy now and upplug the OBD and car dies. I plug it back in do the clear codes function again and car starts again. Unplug and car dies. 996 87XXX everything else is normal. Any ideas?

FRUNKenstein

Replace the ignition switch

frompub2dub

Please...next time offer a challenging riddle. 😄

6t6

Splain to me why it's the ignition switch.

Ahsai

If it's a stick shift, check or jump the clutch starter interlock switch.

Are you saying the engine was running when the obdii scanner was connected but once you disconnected it, the engine died? That would he very strange. I think the obdii is red herring.

frompub2dub

I personally have no clue

DTMiller

It's always the switch.

mpd425

Same symptoms I had last fall, $9.00 ignition switch from Napa

Cuda911

Doesn't matter what the problem. That's what KC always says.

Alarm goes off... "KC: replace ignition switch"... Car won't start..."KC: replace ignition switch"... car has white smoke upon startup..."KC: replace ignition switch".... flat tire...."KC: replace ignition switch"... just crashed my car..."KC: replace ignition switch."

I think he mentioned that he keeps a dozen or so spare ignition switches on hand.

Oil_Slickrick

The things is Cuda I have never read one thread that has proved KC wrong on this matter! (PS I now carry a spare ignition switch base)

O_Sr

DBJoe996

Well, you could just leave the OBDII reader plugged in and drive around that way. JK
Usual no start problems:
1. Ignition switch (known to cause all manner of weird electrical gremlins)
2. Clutch interlock switch
3. Corrosion on positive wiring leading to starter (the jumper point in the engine bay and on the starter itself)
4. Corrosion on grounding points (battery ground and engine ground)

I cannot guess why it works with the reader plugged in, other than the reader is either making a connection that needs to be made, or is breaking a connection. Maybe checking the physical wiring connections to the reader port might yield something. Usually codes stored in the ECU relate to emissions and engine functions, but do not stop the engine from starting.

5CHN3LL

I'd be inclined to think that the OBD-II port being used or unused would be coincidental. Maybe it isn't, but you spend a lot more time and money once you start adding red herrings to the flowchart.

cerex

Have you replaced the ignition switch ?