iQ Green Flashing Start/Stop button

[Barkley]

First time I’ve spotted this - it occurred after a short drive when the Battery was low, but after 20 miles of charging I stopped for a break and on the restart, the dash lit up as usual, but the LED flashed green and the engine would not initiate.  This happened about 3 times, and on the 4th it fired up…. 
 

Anyone had this, and knows the possible cause?

[Antonio2]

Hi Raymond.

This happened to me once on my then newly acquired IQ2. In my case, it was cured by turning the steering wheel slightly.

This occurred, (as I later found out), because the ignition was turned off with the front wheels off- centre.

The IQ with a push button start, has an electric steering lock which is powered on and off by a small motor. 

What can sometimes happen, is that because of the pressure on the steering shaft with the wheels off-set (only when in a certain off-set position), the small steering lock motor is unable to overcome the torque required release the locking mechanism.

Being miles from home, with a non-starting car and flashing green starter button, I fortunately found that be moving the steering wheel slightly, the lock was now "unloaded" and the steering lock was able to dis-engage - resulting in a steady green light on the push start, and the car started as normal.

If you have owned an older car, you may have inserted the ignition key in the ignition switch, and was  then unable to turn the key (due to the loading on the steering lock - wheels off centre). To start the car, it's the same thing, you turned the steering wheel slightly to allow the lock to dis- engage, which then allowed the key to turn to start the car.

In my case, I don't know if it was due to a weak / faulty steering lock motor, but it did get me going again !

You stated that you thought the Battery may have been low if so, perhaps the reduced Battery voltage weakened the steering lock motor torque. Hope this helps.

 

[Falomain]

Page #182 in user's manual:

[Barkley]

Many thanks both.  Not only does this make sense - but is a useful lesson, as I do recall a ‘clunk’ when using the steering wheel to assist my exit from the car! 😇