Interesting Take on the No-Start Issue

[CoryUT]

So I've had some trouble starting my car recently and have found a few threads on here where people have the same issue. That issue is the following:

The car starts sometimes. Whether or not the car will start is seemingly random. When it does start, there is no struggle at all, it just starts up and sounds healthy. When it won't start, there are no noises. No clicking, no turning over, nothing. Lights and everything come on fine every time.

Battery was ruled out for a few reasons:
1 - I recently had a failed battery that produced similar symptoms, except that the car would struggle when it did start.
2 - Jumping it didn't work.

Safety switches were ruled out because I have absolutely never had to do anything to start the car. I could start it in gear without the clutch engaged if I wanted. Nothing like doing the "I'm-a-dumbass" lurch. Never had to engage the clutch or make sure it was in neutral.

Then what? Ignition switch...maybe...but it seems to work for everything else...so I'm thinking further on in the circuit.

It could be the solenoid I suppose...but I would prefer that it isn't, so for now I'm going to say nay to that one. It doesn't *SEEM* to be the solenoid, but that never means anything I guess.

So my last run I was sitting in my driveway at home trying to think of everything I could do that didn't involve pulling off the steering column or getting under the car in the pouring rain (due to my inability to switch it with the car in the garage...seeing as it won't start) and I came back to the safety switch idea...just because I might as well not rule it out completely.

Okay...neutral, clutch in. No start.
Neutral, clutch in, brake in. No start.
First gear, clutch in, brake in. No start.
Neutral, clutch in. No start, but keep the ignition engaged and slowly release the clutch.

Starts. It started as the clutch came through the release point.

Cool. Uhh. Now what? I'm going to keep looking through the manual to see if I can figure out where in the electrical system I should look for this mysterious safety switch that seems to be finicky, but if anyone has any input as to where to start I'd be mucho appreciative. The car is a 1996 328i from Europe, left side driver.

Thanks for reading.

[oliverr871]

could be a loose ground?

[Seeker]

think your clutch switch is nearby your cruise control switch

[Nacanowhere]

+1 on loose ground.. check your ground posts... I had similar issues.. cost me 200$ to diagnose, and 3 turns of a wrench to fix.

[CoryUT]

+1 on loose ground.. check your ground posts... I had similar issues.. cost me 200$ to diagnose, and 3 turns of a wrench to fix.

Where was your ground an issue? My chassis ground from the battery is definitely fine (double checked this morning). I haven't been able to get under the car yet to look at the starter. Would it be in that general area possibly?

Thanks for the replies.

EDIT: Clutch thing must have either been a coincidence or must have just completely gone out, because it's having no effect this morning.

[M3pwrofm3]

you have an alarm?

[miatawnt2b]

Sounds like your clutch safety switch is fubar.
-J

[M3pwrofm3]

check to see if the alarm is working correclty becuase if there is a loose connection it might be shuting off your car. I know mine did.

[miatawnt2b]

I tried to find a location on realoem for it, but cannot. If you look up under the dash, I'm betting there are two switches for the clutch. The one which releases first when you start to press the clutch in is the cruise control switch. This is not the problem. There should be another switch which depresses at the very bottom of the travel. This is the safety switch. The starter will not engage if this switch doesn't complete the circuit. Replace that switch and I'll bet you fix the problem. If you have a multimeter, you should be able to check it... it may also just have come loose from its mounting.
-J

[m2pc]

Is there a neutral safety switch on the manual cars like the automatics?

[CoryUT]

Sounds like your clutch safety switch is fubar.
-J

Yeah this seems most likey. It's strange that in the past four years that I've been driving the car I've never had to engage the clutch. Maybe it's been bad all along and is just now causing problems? Thanks for the tips...I'll check into it when I get home from work.


check to see if the alarm is working correclty becuase if there is a loose connection it might be shuting off your car. I know mine did.

I have neither the stock alarm or head unit. There is an aftermarket alarm, but it hasn't worked in ages. My power locks have been long since broken as well. I guess this is another thing that is maybe just now causing a problem. I'll check into that if the switch thing doesn't work out. Thank ya.


Is there a neutral safety switch on the manual cars like the automatics?

I don't think so.

[robisconfusedd]

it could also be your ignition tumbler itself (the whole unit you stick your key in to start the car), if there is a weird sound like a relay shorting out (buzzing/whirring) when it does not start, coming from the dash, then that might be the problem.. unless it's already dead, then it won't make noise..


edit:: by the way i just noticed you have a 1996 like i do.... which means there IS NO CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH, i've never had to depress the clutch to start my car either, that safety switch started being implemented in 1997.

[CoryUT]

it could also be your ignition tumbler itself (the whole unit you stick your key in to start the car), if there is a weird sound like a relay shorting out (buzzing/whirring) when it does not start, coming from the dash, then that might be the problem.. unless it's already dead, then it won't make noise..


edit:: by the way i just noticed you have a 1996 like i do.... which means there IS NO CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH, i've never had to depress the clutch to start my car either, that safety switch started being implemented in 1997.

Thanks...I thought there was no clutch safety switch.

Probably not the tumbler. There is no noise whatsoever, but it works randomly. So...no failing noise and not completely dead.

I guess we've narrowed it to connections or solenoid itself. Once I can find my jack I can get under the car (not where I thought it was - in the car).

Keep you posted.

[Seeker]

my bad..

looked at schematics and it's 97-98's that have the clutch safety switch