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.

its is possible you could have triggered the steering wheel lock

didnt press clutch far enough?

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.

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.

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.

Also check to make sure the battery cables are on tight.

also make sure its the right car.

=]

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?

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.

i had the same problem and the ground cable was loose

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.

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

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.

Take it into the dealer. You might get lucky and it will do it there.

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

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.