Engine not turning over

[MarkW]

Has anyone come across this? Intermittently, when key is turned, all the ignition lights come on, turn to start, nothing!! Lights don't dim or anything. Initially when turned off and tried again it started. Got to the point where it took 5 minutes to get it going.
Car is now with my Indy, he removed the steering column trim and car starts every time.
Possibly ignition switch or wiring problem. :-[ :-[ :-[

[IanP]

Gearbox inhibitor switch?

[MarkW]

Still not missed a start. Tried to start in R & D today, as expected it wouldn't, moved to P or N and starts perfectly. Steering column covers still off. Just looks like I've hot wired it and stole it 

[graemeX5]

Hi

It sounds like you Indy has made progress, given the switch is fixed in position unless the covers move it I think it's the wiring and I would try replacing the covers and see if it fails again.

In which case remove one cover and see if starts again if yes then it's that cover,and if it doesn't replace that section and try removing the other one and see if starts, and if not then it's probably that cover which must be touching / moving the wires.

So I would say its probably a poor connection or a break in a wire where rubbed/chaffed or degraded over time.

Then I think it's a case of wiggling various sections the wiring with the cover off to replicate the prob and to help locate exactly where the break is.

Graeme

[MarkW]

Thanks Graeme, I'm really hoping it's not wiring. Been there with other cars, complete nightmare!!
Gonna fit a new ignition switch over the weekend then covers and see what happens. You can just see into the switch and the contacts that operate the starter are looking a little discoloured so could cause problems in the future. If it plays up again...... wiring.. . As is often the problem, it was a bit random