# 1999 323i BWM Convertible - intermittant starting problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** keys, starting, computers, 323, bmw\ **Created:** [April 19, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-323i-bwm-convertible-intermittant-starting-problems/47687 "2010-04-19T19:49:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![familymcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@familymcs](https://community.cartalk.com/u/familymcs)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-323i-bwm-convertible-intermittant-starting-problems/47687/1 "2010-04-19T19:49:04Z")
Having intermittent starting problem where key will not start engine (no noise/no click.) All electric (door/windows/roof/panel) work fine. Not reproducible at will. Car can stay “dead” from 1/2 hour to multiple days, then start. Doesn’t matter if car was recently started or not. Weather not a factor either. Mechanic suggested bad key or bad computer. Have original & 2 years old key. Same intermittant results. Purchasing a new key to try - but since issue is intermittent may take a while to know if this is a resolution… Does the key control the whole car? And is it possible that I may need a new computer ($3500+). Can’t a computer be rebooted? Any other suggestions for things to look at?? ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-323i-bwm-convertible-intermittant-starting-problems/47687/2 "2010-04-19T19:59:33Z")
Do you have a manual or automatic transmission? If you have an automatic: The next time this happens just shift to “neutral” and see if it starts. If it does just see a good mechanic and get the neutral safety switch replaced. If you have a manual shift tranny then the neutral safety switch is on the clutch. ---
**Author:** ![familymcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@familymcs](https://community.cartalk.com/u/familymcs)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-323i-bwm-convertible-intermittant-starting-problems/47687/3 "2010-04-19T20:05:27Z")
Automatic. Should have said - I have tried this. It did not work…