# Intermittent dead ignition **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ignition, failure\ **Created:** [January 22, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intermittent-dead-ignition/25340 "2009-01-22T16:48:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThomasLCline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@ThomasLCline](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ThomasLCline)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intermittent-dead-ignition/25340/1 "2009-01-22T16:48:36Z")
Turning the ignition key of my 2001 Olds Aurora may start the car OR may not even make a ‘click’ or any noise at all! This is proved to be NOT a battery or starter problem. Oddly, both times it refused to start, it was warm, but it started when it was very cold. This must be a ‘high tech’ computer issue. It does have a second ignition ‘key’ - a computer chip on the panel that can be unplugged, preventing any hot-wiring. That wasn’t it, either. Help! ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intermittent-dead-ignition/25340/2 "2009-01-22T17:23:48Z")
You’re right. It could be the ignition switch: [http://www.autozone.com/R,4775813/vehicleId,2604601/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,1140/partType,00189/shopping/partProductDetail.htm](http://www.autozone.com/R,4775813/vehicleId,2604601/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,1140/partType,00189/shopping/partProductDetail.htm) Troubleshooting with a multimeter, wiring diagram, and repair manual are good ideas, also. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intermittent-dead-ignition/25340/3 "2009-01-22T23:26:25Z")
The next time is won’t start, try placing the transmission in neutral and then try starting the engine. If it starts when doing this, there’s a problem with the park/neutral safety switch. Tester ---
**Author:** ![canairysrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7feea3/32.png) [@canairysrt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/canairysrt)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intermittent-dead-ignition/25340/4 "2010-05-31T22:48:13Z")
Its your starter. the olds have a magnetic starter and part of that magnet is broken. when the starter spins and land on the dead part of the magnet it wont start, weather its hot or cold. if you keep trying to start it, eventually it will start but it could somttimes take from a few seconds to a few minutes. i had the same problem