Starting problem - Fixed & Updated!

A

A320_phill

Member
 Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
Hi all,

If i turn the key to start the first time nothing at all happens. I get all electrics, lights, radio etc. If i put the key back to 0, then start again its absolutely perfect. To me this rules out the battery, but have done a search and read the relay for the starter is actually built in.

Would I be right in thinking about replacing the starter first? Or can you get the relay seperately and more importantly cheaper! Or any other ideas?

Cheers

Phil
 
Sounds like ignition key switch is a possibility and has been raised on here before so is worth considering

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29403
 
Thank you very much.

One of the comments in that thread sounds exactly like my problem. Ordered the switch from ebay for £23.99 inc postage so definitely worth a try before the starter! Cheers
 
I had that issue, but it would turn over but not fire. Noticed no ignition lists on when this happened.

Got mine from Quarry Motors via eBay foe a tenner.

Worth changing though even though your symptoms are different as it's the cheapest option and takes 5 minutes to do.
 
I had a similar problem on my Zed ( 04 3.0I ). It got progressively worse. What I'm saying is that the problem begain by trying to start the car, and getting nothing....then turn the key off, try a again and it would start ( like yours ). Over a short period of time, it required more and more trys to get it to start. It eventually failed and the starter was the issue. For someone with only fair mechanical skills, the starter replacement would only require about an hour of work. Anyway, hope you get it sorted out.
 
Funny you should say that. Its already started taking more attempts today. I hope it lasts a few more days for getting to work and I also hope its the ignition switch as its cheaper and easier.

Thanks for the info though and I will post up my success one way or the other!

Also I am unpleasantly surprised at the price of a starter motor. They all have some sort of surcharge applied!
 
Sorry to hear that. I recommend that you take a very small hammer with you, or a 3/8ths drive rachet, or any tool with a bit of weight. I say this because if it is in fact the starter motor, usually a "tap" on the starter will enable it to start and......that would prove that it is the starter motor and more importantly, get you home. Rebuilt starters for the Zeds here in the USA are only about $130 USD. And thats with a lifetime warranty. Just because of curiuosity, what is the cost in your location?
 
A320_phill said:
Funny you should say that. Its already started taking more attempts today. I hope it lasts a few more days for getting to work and I also hope its the ignition switch as its cheaper and easier.

Thanks for the info though and I will post up my success one way or the other!

Also I am unpleasantly surprised at the price of a starter motor. They all have some sort of surcharge applied!
Click to expand...

Surcharge isn't an issue, just makes sure you take the old one back and then they will refund the surcharge payment.
 
Price here is between £100 and £200 so not actually as bad as I thought.

Regarding the surcharge that is slightly embarrassing on my part :oops: If I order from eurocarparts I will see how I go about that.

Once again, this forum has proven invaluable (if it gets fixed haha!)
 
Once again, thanks to the good and knowledgeable folk on this forum, I think I have saved a good sum of money.

I have replaced the ignition switch (£23.99 ebay inc postage) + 15 mins of my time and jobs a goodun.

The car starts first time every time, and the key also now feels more solid, with the movement tighter and smoother. Not that its important but feels quality.

Thanks again I am well chuffed :D :thumbsup:
 
Well that's two of us this year replacing the ignition switch. I'm only aware of two others having to replace so still rare failure.

Nice cheap fix though :thumbsup:
 
So did your's tun over or was it completely dead. Mine would turn over but not fire. When this happened I noticed I had no ignition lights. If I turned the key to position 2 first and checked for lights then all was fine.
 
If i turned to position 2 I got the usual lights, then went to start and didn't even try to turn over.

It was completely intermittent as sometimes it wouldn't happen at all, other times it would take 4 or 5 goes.

Fingers crossed it stays fixed. I could replace the starter myself easily enough but would rather no have the hassle and expense obviously.
 
A320_phill said:
If i turned to position 2 I got the usual lights, then went to start and didn't even try to turn over.

It was completely intermittent as sometimes it wouldn't happen at all, other times it would take 4 or 5 goes.

Fingers crossed it stays fixed. I could replace the starter myself easily enough but would rather no have the hassle and expense obviously.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends where the fault is in the switch. Mine was in position two, but sounds like your issue was position three.
 
This is where I got mine from brand new:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=151598071721&alt=web
 
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