non starter

[nrbflyer]

hi
can anyone suggest an intermittent electrical problem with my S3. some days it starts others its completely dead! leave it a while then hety presto it starts. It has also died on the road. The imobilizer light works and cuts out but when its dead there is no electrics at all. Battery is full of charge.

[tvrgit]

Are the electrics ALL dead?

Does the starter turn but it doesn't catch? Do the lights /horn work? If so, then it might be the connector block just behind the ignition switch, notorious for burning out.

Or is there absolutely nothing at all when you turn the key? If so, then it's something else, needs further diagnosis!

[merky300]

My immobiliser/alarm was wired direct to the + & - on the battery if yours is the same then I would suggest it is a faulty battery other than that it could be the main earth point if all electrics are dead.

Tony

[nrbflyer]

tvrgit,

All is dead,no ignition, lights,windows everythings dead although the immobilizer light is on and goes out when keyed. leave it a day or so and it starts as though there is no problem. It will either drive all day or cut out and be dead again? battery is only 1yr old and has been on trickle and shows full charge.

[brow]

I would try and eliminate the ignition. Test for power too and from ignition / steering column. Early models have an ignition relay (?) that might be worth locating.

just thinking out loud

[S3Swiss]

You say you have no lights - does that include the sidelights (first posn on the light stalk) as they are independent of the ign circuit and would point to a supply fault? The main lights and windows all need ign feed IIRC so wouldn't work if an ign switch/connector/relay problem.

[Barkychoc]

Don't assume because the battery is relatively new that it cannot be faulty!

Chris

[MarkS4]

Barkychoc said:

Don't assume because the battery is relatively new that it cannot be faulty!

Chris

I have just had problems with a completely new battery, so that is a possibility.

Mark S4

[spivvy]

check the wiring connector in the steering column definate possibility
i had a problem like this

Edited by spivvy on Monday 14th July 18:41