Turned key this AM, engine didn't turn over?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-20-2007, 03:34 PM
  #1  
rb1
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
 
rb1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Turned key this AM, engine didn't turn over?

On the way to work today, I made a quick stop, and then went back out and got in the car and turned the ignition key.

Nothing.

I turned the key again, still nothing.

On the third attempt, the motor turned over normally and the car quickly started.

Any thoughts as to what this might have been? It's a 6-month old 2007 6MT with 5500 miles on it.
Old 09-20-2007, 03:43 PM
  #2  
Pro
 
TSXHunter05's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Delaware
Age: 48
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
its is possible you could have triggered the steering wheel lock
Old 09-20-2007, 03:52 PM
  #3  
I can't find my garage
 
mltk53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SoCal
Age: 35
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
didnt press clutch far enough?
Old 09-20-2007, 03:54 PM
  #4  
Advanced
 
jayq16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Age: 43
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah this same thing has happened to me on my '07 two or so times. Not sure what the cause is but i would like to know too. Doesn't seem like a lock cause the key completely turns over in the ignition, there is just no startup. Then on the second or third try it starts up and everything is fine. It's real weird.
Old 09-20-2007, 04:31 PM
  #5  
rb1
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
 
rb1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mltk53
didnt press clutch far enough?
I was thinking the clutch switch might have been involved. I supposed if it "stuck" for some reason (assuming it's a "release" type switch and the engine will start only if the switch is released), that might be it.

I'll just watch it. It's only the first time it's happened and maybe it was driver error.
Old 09-20-2007, 05:39 PM
  #6  
Instructor
 
TheDukeZip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Age: 42
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This happened to me once and was steering wheel lock. I freaked out for about 2 minutes before I tried turning the wheel a little bit.
Old 09-20-2007, 06:00 PM
  #7  
Drifting
 
PACman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 20 Posts
Also check to make sure the battery cables are on tight.
Old 09-20-2007, 06:23 PM
  #8  
I can't find my garage
 
mltk53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SoCal
Age: 35
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by PACman
Also check to make sure the battery cables are on tight.
also make sure its the right car.

=]
Old 09-20-2007, 08:20 PM
  #9  
talk about mudflaps....
 
dereksmalls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Calgary AB
Age: 51
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by TheDukeZip
This happened to me once and was steering wheel lock. I freaked out for about 2 minutes before I tried turning the wheel a little bit.
It's funny because someone just told me that new Audis require the steering wheel to be locked for the ignition to work. Crazy.

Could it be that the immobilizer was a bit slow in reading the chip in the ignition key?

When the problem occurs, do you see the green key symbol on the dash?
Old 09-21-2007, 07:07 AM
  #10  
Safety Car
 
miner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Age: 66
Posts: 3,644
Received 312 Likes on 198 Posts
Both of my clutch switches, upper and lower, had to be replaced on my '04 6MT. Also, the OEM battery is on the 'weak' side.
Old 09-22-2007, 02:02 AM
  #11  
SSM FTW
iTrader: (1)
 
luder917's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CEN-CAL
Posts: 319
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by PACman
Also check to make sure the battery cables are on tight.
i had the same problem and the ground cable was loose
Old 09-22-2007, 08:39 PM
  #12  
still plays with cars
 
nbtx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: south Texas
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by rb1
On the way to work today, I made a quick stop, and then went back out and got in the car and turned the ignition key.

Nothing.

I turned the key again, still nothing.

On the third attempt, the motor turned over normally and the car quickly started.

Any thoughts as to what this might have been? It's a 6-month old 2007 6MT with 5500 miles on it.
On my 06 when I turn the key to "ignition on" a green key icon appears in the upper left instrument cluster for a few seconds indicating the immobilizer has recognized the key. Check for this each time you insert the key and turn it. Also check your owner's manual to see if the 07 works the same. There might be a problem with the immobilizer system.
Old 09-24-2007, 03:58 PM
  #13  
Instructor
 
jwhite4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Phila, Pa.
Age: 60
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't think it's the steering wheel. I've had this happen on my 06 non-navi many times. Removing the key and reinserting, it started on the first turn of the key.

I'll have to check the immobilizer light. Perhaps not coincidentally, I have a remote starter installed on the car (by the dealer), maybe what it has to do to fool the immobilizer during a remote start is causing the problem.

The fact that's it's random, and removing+reinserting ALWAYS fixes the problem is annoying.

Jeff
Old 09-24-2007, 08:33 PM
  #14  
rb1
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
 
rb1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts


Happened again today, this time after car had been sitting for 5 hours or so. I turned the key all the way, got dash lights but no starter. Just re-clutched and turned the key again and it started.

I guess I could take it to the dealer, but unless they can reproduce it I'm not sure they will do anything. I'm just worried this is something that could go completely bad and strand me somewhere.
Old 09-25-2007, 06:43 AM
  #15  
Senior Moderator
 
LoveMyTL-S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St. Cloud, FL
Age: 67
Posts: 11,995
Received 361 Likes on 316 Posts
Take it into the dealer. You might get lucky and it will do it there.
Old 09-25-2007, 07:12 AM
  #16  
it's a car-drive it
 
nj2pa2nc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 5,375
Received 262 Likes on 199 Posts
Originally Posted by rb1


Happened again today, this time after car had been sitting for 5 hours or so. I turned the key all the way, got dash lights but no starter. Just re-clutched and turned the key again and it started.

I guess I could take it to the dealer, but unless they can reproduce it I'm not sure they will do anything. I'm just worried this is something that could go completely bad and strand me somewhere.
i would suggest you let the dealer keep the car for a few days and get a loaner car from them. tell them to let it sit for a day or two and then try to start it-hopefully the problem will be solved. good luck
Old 09-25-2007, 12:46 PM
  #17  
Safety Car
 
miner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Age: 66
Posts: 3,644
Received 312 Likes on 198 Posts
See post #10 - clutch swithes
Old 09-25-2007, 04:00 PM
  #18  
rb1
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
 
rb1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by miner
See post #10 - clutch swithes
If I can control my reflexes the next time it happens, I'll try to "prove" it's the clutch switches by turning the key a few times without doing anything else, and then reclutching and see if it makes a difference.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rockyboy
2G RDX (2013-2018)
170
12-06-2022 02:29 PM
mada51589
3G TL Problems & Fixes
79
05-03-2022 08:54 PM
Laoch
1G RL (1996-2004)
3
10-02-2015 03:27 PM
PortlandRL
Car Talk
2
09-14-2015 12:01 PM
ptbarnett
3G RLX (2013+)
4
08-30-2015 12:39 PM



Quick Reply: Turned key this AM, engine didn't turn over?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:06 PM.