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Have you checked to make sure the battery cable is secure? I did a stereo install once that included a new post that incorporated a special connector for amp power wire. The new post did not securely hold the cars lead to the battery. The connection was good enough for the accessories to turn on, but not car. Worth double checking the battery...
I'm gonna guess its a static electricity zap -- wouldn't take much. Cloth or leather? What kind of shoes and clothes are all the subjects wearing? (Everybody get naked! Or you could touch the chassis before you touch the key. Less fun, though.)
Checked all grounds and, yes, the battery cable. The odd thing is, we've attempted to start the car probably 100 times. And the human variable is 100% replicable. If it were a loose connection, I could understand the car starting 50% of the time regardless of who is turning the key. But it's not like that. It starts 100% of the time for certain people and 0% of the time for certain other people.Quote:
Originally Posted by MoonieGT
Leather interior. And we tried all methods of grounding ourselves to the chassis before and during turning the key. Doesn't make a difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by redmenace
Could it be the way the key is put into the lock and turned? Maybe your wife has a different methodology for inserting and turning the key?
Hunny, I need you to come out to the garage and get naked with me.Quote:
Originally Posted by redmenace
Don't think so. I've tried every combination of fingers touching/not touching the key. Tried applying leverage to the key in various directions while turning.Quote:
Originally Posted by miataspeedracer
Remember that it starts for me just fine as long as the USB cable is plugged into a laptop which is on. I don't turn the key differently in that scenario.
This sounds like a ridiculous riddle but it's really not. It's just the weirdest car glitch I've ever heard of.
Just had my other employee try starting the car. Didn't start for him, either.
Updated count:
Will start for 3 people
Will not start for 5 people
The USB/laptop thing is exactly why I thought static electricity could be a factor: your movement may be identical, but the laptop affords you an opportunity to discharge. (Wait, that came out wrong.) (Ha!)
This has correlation vs causation written all over it... in voodoo chicken blood!
Have you done any time thinking about what sets the 3 people apart from the 5? Positive attitudes? Religion? Sexual prowess?Quote:
Originally Posted by mk2tmr2
The car just doesn't like you Steve. Start's for the wife and tuner guy.... Hmmm? Maybe the three of them are planning to run away.
Perhaps.... the car is jealous.
http://www.actwin.com/toaph/life/cars/tv/christine.jpg
Try touching the key to bare metal then starting, and try touching bare metal while starting.
Tried that.Quote:
Originally Posted by SirHustlerEsq
Install a remote start.
I have already looked into the transponder bypass device that is used when a remote start is installed. I am tempted to try this. But only after we go through all the wiring one more time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
Have you tried a different key? Don't they have a sort of mysterious chip?Quote:
Originally Posted by mk2tmr2
Yup. It isn't all that mysterious. The key has a transponder that submits an encrypted code that matches the ECU. I have 2 keys. Doesn't matter which one I use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim m
Have you removed the trim surrounding the steering column to inspect the ignition switch wiring?
LS1 swap?
LS1 swap would be fun. Have not inspected the ign switch wiring yet. All of that will be gone over with a fine toothed comb this week.
Figured this out, by the way.
It boiled down to a technique issue.
The way the FIC has to be wired up is a bit odd. It needs to be wired in to the ACC circuit. Of course, that circuit is only hot when the key is in the ACC or ON positions. It cuts out when the key is turned to START so that all power can go to the starter. However, there's this in-between spot in the key's throw that engages the starter while the ACC circuit is still hot.
Turn the key too far into the START position and the FIC is shut off and the car won't start.
Humans are pretty habitual creatures. So the reason the car started reliably for some people and not for others came down to the technique they used to start the car. Some people turn the key more gently than others, I suppose.
We had a collective facepalm when we realized what the issue was. There were literally 10 people taking turns trying to start the car and figure out why it would start for some and not for others.
Now that the coil packs are replaced and some other wrinkles ironed out, the car is an absolute blast to drive. In a couple months I'll be having the transmission built so that we can turn the boost up and hit the 400whp goal. Right now it's at around 330-350.
Duh! Told ya...
;)
"Could it be the way the key is put into the lock and turned? Maybe your wife has a different methodology for inserting and turning the key?"