Occasionally I turn the key and nothing happens, although the dashboard lights stay bright. After a second attempt the engine starts normally. There's no slow cranking; it's an intermittent no-crank situation. I haven't noticed a clear pattern with temperature or how long the car sits. I'm thinking starter circuit, relay or an interlock switch rather than immediately replacing the battery. What details should I note to help a mechanic reproduce it?
An intermittent no-start where dashboard lights remain normal
Safety-critical vehicle advice should be treated as general discussion; use qualified repair help when a fault could make a vehicle unsafe.
- car-repair
- intermittent
- start
- dashboard
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3 replies
Write down whether it happens in Park, Neutral, or only after you’ve driven for a while. That kind of pattern is gold for a mechanic.
Write down whether it happens in Park, Neutral, or only after you’ve driven for a while. That kind of pattern is gold for a mechanic.
Also note if the key is all the way to start or if you ever get a click. “No crank, lights normal” is useful, but a single click is a different story.
If it’s automatic, mention whether the brake pedal feels normal too. Weird interlock stuff can be very dramatic and then disappear the moment somebody tries it in the shop.
Good point. It’s automatic, and I do usually notice it after a short stop, not after the car sits overnight. I hadn’t thought to separate th...