Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveX53.0i
Not the key, both have the same issue. If it were the ignition switch wouldn't my accessories not work? and wouldn't it not always start with a jump? Also when it won't start, voltage at the B+ is very low, below 1.
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Incorrect. When an ignition switch fails the most common symptom is that you get inconsistent starts. There are several parrallel switches inside the switch and the starter switch component is a common failure point and exhibits exactly your symptoms when it fails.
That being said, B+ volts low means battery problem. If B+ is low then it's not logical it would ever recover from that and start without a jump unless you have a connection problem somewhere.
If you have a defective battery it can cause very quick drops in battery voltage. I had a battery that would test fine, 550 cold crank amps, start the car at 0°F more than once no problem.
However, if I left the hazards blinking for 8 minutes I would not be able to start the car I would get one click. At that point I would get a very low vBat and would jump start easily.
My case turned out to be a defective battery (shorted plates or something: it effectively had nearly no AH capacity)
New battery fixed it right up