Electrical power randomly ceasing; car not starting

Thud

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Location
Connecticut
#1
My 1990 325iC (126,000 mi) has started randomly deciding not to start. What happens is that sometimes (becoming more frequent) - but not always - I'll turn the key to the 2nd (pre-ignition) position and ALL electrical power will completely cease, and the car - obviously - won't start. The only way I've found to work around this issue is to disconnect the battery, wait a few minutes, reconnect the battery, and try it again (sometimes takes 3 or 4 repetitions of this procedure). It happened once when I stalled it in reverse too, but otherwise never happens once the car is started.

When I bought the car, the "original" (I assume) stereo (which had newer security features incl. code, blinking light, beep) was faulty, so they replaced it with an older (1 or 2 yrs) model which had older security features (incl. code); I'm wondering if this adversely affected the "car-side" security features of the original stereo, and is somehow resulting in faulty activation of a kill switch. Any other ideas?
 
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368
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Location
Ventura CA
#2
I don't know but removing the stereo should eliminate it's affect on your ignition. You might try taking it out for a few days and see if it fixes the problem.

Steve
 
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129
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Location
Kansas City, MO USA
#3
hmmm,

WAG is that the electrical side of the ignition switch is bad.

It can be changed by removing the lower steering column cover.

It, electrical switch, is held in by a small straight slot set screw.

Good luck,
 


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