Push Button Start Problems

mick77 · January 16, 2009

Sometimes when I push the starter button (with clutch depressed of course) it will not start. Steering column comes down into place but no ignition, so, try and push button again and steering column goes back up and it all switches off (worst case scenario)

Other times, a few presses of the button will work. Yet other times still car will start first time with just one button push, i.e. steering column comes down and ignition fires up immediately! Sometimes I keep the button pressed for ages and nothing happens, other times it will start after a few seconds - I'm confused!

There is no real pattern to it, everytime I try and start it up it seems to behave differently. Is there a sure fire way to get the engine to start up first time every time?

Thanks for any advice/answers

illestjt · January 16, 2009

Sometimes when I push the starter button (with clutch depressed of course) it will not start. Steering column comes down into place but no ignition, so, try and push button again and steering column goes back up and it all switches off (worst case scenario)
Other times, a few presses of the button will work. Yet other times still car will start first time with just one button push, i.e. steering column comes down and ignition fires up immediately! Sometimes I keep the button pressed for ages and nothing happens, other times it will start after a few seconds - I'm confused!

There is no real pattern to it, everytime I try and start it up it seems to behave differently. Is there a sure fire way to get the engine to start up first time every time?

Thanks for any advice/answers

when you push it, does the green light come on (on the button).. so when you depress the clutch the green light is on.

shoggy · January 16, 2009

Sometimes when I push the starter button (with clutch depressed of course) it will not start. Steering column comes down into place but no ignition, so, try and push button again and steering column goes back up and it all switches off (worst case scenario)
Other times, a few presses of the button will work. Yet other times still car will start first time with just one button push, i.e. steering column comes down and ignition fires up immediately! Sometimes I keep the button pressed for ages and nothing happens, other times it will start after a few seconds - I'm confused!

There is no real pattern to it, everytime I try and start it up it seems to behave differently. Is there a sure fire way to get the engine to start up first time every time?

Thanks for any advice/answers

when you push it, does the green light come on (on the button).. so when you depress the clutch the green light is on.

Don't want to be stupid but is it that the parking brake is off ?

mick77 · January 19, 2009

Sometimes when I push the starter button (with clutch depressed of course) it will not start. Steering column comes down into place but no ignition, so, try and push button again and steering column goes back up and it all switches off (worst case scenario)
Other times, a few presses of the button will work. Yet other times still car will start first time with just one button push, i.e. steering column comes down and ignition fires up immediately! Sometimes I keep the button pressed for ages and nothing happens, other times it will start after a few seconds - I'm confused!

There is no real pattern to it, everytime I try and start it up it seems to behave differently. Is there a sure fire way to get the engine to start up first time every time?

Thanks for any advice/answers

when you push it, does the green light come on (on the button).. so when you depress the clutch the green light is on.

Don't want to be stupid but is it that the parking brake is off ?

Yes, parking break is always on, and yes - green light illuminates on the start button...

BTW - great pic illestjt, your two cars parked together look pretty cool!!

mick77 · January 19, 2009

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Alan · January 19, 2009

Sometimes when I push the starter button (with clutch depressed of course) it will not start. Steering column comes down into place but no ignition, so, try and push button again and steering column goes back up and it all switches off (worst case scenario)
Other times, a few presses of the button will work. Yet other times still car will start first time with just one button push, i.e. steering column comes down and ignition fires up immediately! Sometimes I keep the button pressed for ages and nothing happens, other times it will start after a few seconds - I'm confused!

There is no real pattern to it, everytime I try and start it up it seems to behave differently. Is there a sure fire way to get the engine to start up first time every time?

Thanks for any advice/answers

Another daft question ... are you pushing the clutch in hard enough? I've had the symptons you describe a couple of times, and it's just because I've not been pressing hard enough.

Robertb · January 20, 2009

I had a total nightmare with an 220d loaner the other day. Ended up having to get the manual out, with my daughter making helpful remarks like "it might help if you put the key in!"

mick77 · January 20, 2009

Sometimes when I push the starter button (with clutch depressed of course) it will not start. Steering column comes down into place but no ignition, so, try and push button again and steering column goes back up and it all switches off (worst case scenario)
Other times, a few presses of the button will work. Yet other times still car will start first time with just one button push, i.e. steering column comes down and ignition fires up immediately! Sometimes I keep the button pressed for ages and nothing happens, other times it will start after a few seconds - I'm confused!

There is no real pattern to it, everytime I try and start it up it seems to behave differently. Is there a sure fire way to get the engine to start up first time every time?

Thanks for any advice/answers

Another daft question ... are you pushing the clutch in hard enough? I've had the symptons you describe a couple of times, and it's just because I've not been pressing hard enough.

It's not a daft question because you do have to push the clutch right in as you say - and I do so this is not the reason...

NG1208 · August 28, 2014

Is there any solution or known reason for this issue? My is220d is 2008 Oct and recently from a week I have seen the intermittent issue where it doesn't start in the first time when I depress the start/stop button with Green light illuminating. It's very rare by any thought of is220d issues is very disturbing as it may become worst.

conor.richardson123 · September 26, 2016

Morning

I am having a vert similar issue, I compress the clutch and it can take up to 10 minutes for the start button to go green, sometimes it works first time but others i can be sat there for ages. is it something to do with the clutch or the button itself?

Cheers

Linas.P · September 26, 2016

I once had similar issue on IS250 and it was faulty Battery (short cell). So it only had power to move steering column, but not to ignite the engine. being diesel I believe it needs much more power (does it have glow plug for heating-up ?! I am not sure). So I guess checking the battery would be good start (could be corroded main ground cable as well).

Colin Stewart · April 5, 2019

Could it have anything to do with a flat key Battery? Mine has the same issue but I have also just realised that the key Battery is very low!

Texas · April 5, 2019

Note: last post was nearly 3 years ago above!

Carmen Wilson · September 28, 2021

Hi sorry to bother u, but when I press stop start button it most of the time sound like its struggling to start and yesterday it was shuddering on a main road like it was about to die which is making me worried

Kind reguards

Ayodele · March 2, 2022

On 9/26/2016 at 11:41 AM, conor.richardson123 said:

Morning

I am having a vert similar issue, I compress the clutch and it can take up to 10 minutes for the start button to go green, sometimes it works first time but others i can be sat there for ages. is it something to do with the clutch or the button itself?

Cheers

Hello Conor. Did you eventually get the solution for this issue as I'm having very similar issue with my car of the same year and model.