Strange Starting

[Mr Toad]

Hi i have an 1989 525i and ive noticed sometimes when its cold the dash board dials will flicker randomly. I presume this is the capacitor problem and hasnt really bothered me as it works after a while.
Recently though ive noticed that the brake hydraulic light sometimes wont come on (as well as the dials flickering) and the car just wont start. Could the car not starting really be affected by the dashboard or is it just a coincidence?

Thanks for any replies.

[632 Regal]

wont start as in wont crank over or wont fire up?

[Mr Toad]

It will just crank over and over but wont start. I usually end up taking the key out and putting it back in until the brake light comes back up and it then seems to start alright.

[Javier]

take a moment to check integrity of fuses F1, and F17. They are obviously not burned, but may be craked or something. I would though, blame the key ignition switch itself. Test with a volt meter the voltage at fuse F17 wile the gremlins are in. If it is also flickering, yes the must probable cause is the switch. Probably, the contact feeding the Green wire coming out of the switch is wore or dirty. It also feeds inyection electronics and ignition coil, so not having break light with F17 OK means not having either DME.

Javier

[Mr Toad]

ah ill have a look then. thanks for that!