It all went away...

WVMTNBIKER · #1 10-29-2010, 04:19 PM

So I started my 2003 X5 up today as normal, temperature 47 degrees F. Car started with zero issues.
After driving for maybe 2-5 minutes, everything on my dash went dead: tach, radio, speedo and just everything else.
I was in 4th gear manual shift and the car kept going as normal but downhill so not sure the engine ever really cut out b/c everything came back within 1-2 seconds. I didn't have time to push the clutch in or anything as it was still in gear. Also did not act like the engine went dead b/c there was no pause in motion or slight jerk as if starting the car in gear while moving. I would think it would have backfired anyways pulling gasoline in then adding spark.
Any ideas?

I have several keys on my ring so could the weight caused the key to move a bit to the off position?
I put a new battery in about 2 weeks ago without any problems. Car starts fine and this is a first.
Never done this before and did not do it again--at least not yet.

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Weasel · #2 10-29-2010, 07:45 PM

If it does it again I'd suspect the ignition switch, worth a thought since you say you have lots of keys and they are known to wear out sometimes with heavy key rings.

WVMTNBIKER · #3 10-29-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasel

If it does it again I'd suspect the ignition switch, worth a thought since you say you have lots of keys and they are known to wear out sometimes with heavy key rings.

I tried to jiggle the key while in the ignition, motor running and parked of course but could not duplicate the condition. I'll keep a watch on it and reduce the key load on the ring.

Is this a dealer/stealer fix only if in fact the switch is bad?

tdgard · #4 10-30-2010, 06:08 AM

No help here but get rid of those keys! My old man used to say that a persons stature in life is inversely proportional to the number of keys on his keyring. I personally think it's a bell curve.

sprocket1200 · #5 10-31-2010, 11:19 AM

tdgard, great observation!

i have 3 keys on my ring. the last one added was the business which put me way up the bell curve!

WVMTNBIKER · #6 10-31-2010, 03:16 PM

I've always wondered how the weight of all my keys affected the ignition switch. Now I know.

So far, no more problems but you can bet I will have a quick release on my X5's key from now on and only one key will be in the ignition with none hanging on for dear life.

m5james · #7 10-31-2010, 04:45 PM

There are writeups on www.e38.org about replacing the ignition lock tumbler with symptoms like this. While this doesn't happen to me in the X, once in a blue moon the key will go in a complete circle in my 7 and won't start the car. Pull the key out, try again and it's fine. Time to ditch the huge keyring...this is how simple I keep it on all of my vehicles.