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[sulzeruk]

Ignition switches themselves can be a problem. The ack contacts get worn so worth having a look. Alasdair

 

[colinham]

Ive had my 1991 S2 for a few years now, on short jouneys around 40 miles the car stops and starts ok. But on long runs around 100 miles plus once the ignition is switched off if I try to re-start the starter fails to turn the engine, the starter has been re-furbed and the battery and alternater are perfect. The solenoid will not even click which would indicate poor voltage. After around waiting for around two hours the car starts and runs normally, so its somethink to do with the heat in the engine. Another strange thing is usually on long runs when you remove the ignition key sometimes the cooling fans come on for a mimute then switch themselves off which is normal. When the car is in this long run failed condition the fans will not come on with the key withdrawn but once you switch to acc circuit with ignition key the fans come on and stay on. Ive cleaned the contacs on the fan relay and also changed the DME relay. but this long run non start problem persists. Any ideas what is going wrong and where to look for a results as I,am at my wits end with this.
Colin

 

[Frenchy]

Good morning from Florida Al,will have a look see about the Germany trip, agred with checking the ignition switch, i have had to change 2 on BMW,s

 

[eddieedmo]

ignition module ? just a thought Nick []

 

[bmnelsc]

As this problem seems to show up when the engine bay is good and hot and disappears after cooling for a couple of hours - I would think sensor problem. It is possible that its the ECU and after two hours of running it is hot enough inside to fail (e.g. cracked solder joint growing apart as the board heats up) but I would check sensors and connectors after the ignition, looking first for any corrosion, etc that would provide insulation and therefore promote heat buildup.

 

[Tom]

Hi Colin, Sorry to hear you have this problem but you're not the only one! I've had my S2 for 13 years now and have occasionally had this non-start problem as follows: - Drive a reasonable distance - in my case usually about 25 miles to/from work. - Stop for a short time - e.g. fill up with petrol, pick up one of the kids etc - i.e. more than a couple of minutes but less than 10. - Turn key to start and... nothing. The voltage needle rises slightly when aux power turns off though - so definitely no power getting to the starter motor. - After many attempts, it usually just starts within another 10 minutes or so. I have a Porsche immobiliser and it seems to be disarmed - the light on the dash is lit steadily and I hear the usual click of a relay on the passenger side when it disarms. The battery was new in June. I once managed to reproduce the problem at home in the garage by stopping, waiting 6 minutes and then trying to restart but by the time I'd got a meter on the solenoid, it started - doh! On Wednesday, the problem recurred but would not start despite trying every now and then for a couple of hours - luckily on the drive, so in the end I just pushed her back into the garage. Tonight, having time to investigate, I tried again and you've guessed it - turned over and started on the first turn of the key. All very frustrating and I really want to get this fixed now as it is happening more frequently and for longer. I'll be trying to reproduce so will let you know if I find the root cause.