rwwinsz8
August 21st 2008, 01:42
Just had a wonderful trip to Monterey with all 30 plus Z8's all the way until about 120 miles from home. After some mild racing down I-5 towards LA with ron's rocket we stopped for fuel before heading over the Grapevine. Upon putting the key back to start it will not go to the #2 position. We tried everything for 1 1/2 hours including getting a jump from a tow truck. After terrific cell phone help from havenhurstkid and Peter Pan's BMW Dana Caldwell we decided it still might be the battery so on a different tow truck to Bakersfield BMW we go. Those guys were really great in waiting nearly a half hour after service had closed to help solve the problem. New battery in however no change in the problem.
Key was now forced to the #2 position by the technician holding his mouth just the right way if you know what I mean . He promised that he was unlikely to have success again and suggested we start it and drive it home with out stopping and get it to our regular BMW San Diego mechanics.
Successfully drove home....turned it off....tried my mouth in the same position as the Bakersfield mechanic but unable to get to the #2 position again. Thinking it might now be the key....tried the other key....same situation.
Now it gets funny...called the tow truck in the morning for the second tow in two days and while helping to steer it on the flatbed I jumped on at the last minute while the car was steeply raked to put the key in the #1 position so that I could close the driver's window....shajam the key moves smoothly to the #2 position. Wondering if the car's rake could possibly be a cure we unloaded the car....switched the key back and forth several times all working perfectly each time so sent the tow truck away....drove to the dealer and hoped they could duplicate the problem. Naturally it was now working perfectly when we went though several cycles after arriving.
To work they went and apparently I may not be alone as a problem was found and a ten day back order exists for replacement parts in the US. I'll advise on the ultimate time and cure once done.
Key was now forced to the #2 position by the technician holding his mouth just the right way if you know what I mean . He promised that he was unlikely to have success again and suggested we start it and drive it home with out stopping and get it to our regular BMW San Diego mechanics.
Successfully drove home....turned it off....tried my mouth in the same position as the Bakersfield mechanic but unable to get to the #2 position again. Thinking it might now be the key....tried the other key....same situation.
Now it gets funny...called the tow truck in the morning for the second tow in two days and while helping to steer it on the flatbed I jumped on at the last minute while the car was steeply raked to put the key in the #1 position so that I could close the driver's window....shajam the key moves smoothly to the #2 position. Wondering if the car's rake could possibly be a cure we unloaded the car....switched the key back and forth several times all working perfectly each time so sent the tow truck away....drove to the dealer and hoped they could duplicate the problem. Naturally it was now working perfectly when we went though several cycles after arriving.
To work they went and apparently I may not be alone as a problem was found and a ten day back order exists for replacement parts in the US. I'll advise on the ultimate time and cure once done.