Does No Response During Second Attempt Count as a Second Ignition?

[ArianaRose]

After a vehicle has been submerged in water, the starter motor will only engage again if the engine has stalled. If the starter motor does not respond at this point, it is considered a second ignition attempt. A second ignition refers to the situation where the car stalls underwater, and the driver turns the key to ignite the engine again while still submerged. If the vehicle is covered by flood insurance, the distinction between not attempting to ignite and attempting a second ignition can determine whether the claim is payable or not. Engine Damage: Typically, if a vehicle stalls in water, there is a 50% chance of engine damage. However, if the engine is restarted after stalling, the engine is almost certain to be 'totaled.' No Compensation: Whether driving or parked in a residential area, underground garage, or street, vehicle owners must never attempt to restart the engine after it has stalled due to water submersion. Some insurance companies include a clause in their flood insurance policies that exempts them from covering damages caused by a second ignition attempt after the engine has stalled due to water. This means that if the car is submerged and the owner attempts a second ignition, resulting in engine damage, the insurance will not compensate for the repairs, even if the vehicle is covered by flood insurance.

[VonDeclan]

When it comes to the issue of no response during the second ignition attempt, I believe the key is to distinguish between the operation and the outcome. The action of turning the key a second time is indeed the second ignition attempt, which is correct. But why is there no response? Common causes are usually electrical circuit problems. Last time when my battery was aging, it was the same—barely started on the first attempt, but the battery was severely depleted, and the second ignition attempt was completely dead. Another possibility is burnt contacts in the starter relay; after the first power-on, the high temperature causes the contacts to stick and cut off power, making the second attempt a complete failure. Loose wiring connections are also common, especially when oxidation occurs easily in rainy weather. I remember one time when I attempted ignition three or four times in a row, ending up burning and deforming the starter motor's carbon brushes, costing me 500 yuan for nothing. If this happens, it's best to stop immediately and call a professional mechanic to inspect the starting circuit.

[DiAlyssa]

This issue should be examined from two perspectives. In terms of operation, turning the key twice definitely counts as two ignition attempts. However, from the vehicle's response perspective, no reaction indicates a system malfunction. I've encountered this several times due to voltage issues - the first ignition attempt drains the remaining power, causing the voltage to drop below 9 volts during the second attempt, rendering the starter completely inoperative. Other causes include fatigued spring contacts inside the ignition switch getting stuck after the first operation, resulting in an open circuit during the second key turn. Some newer vehicles now come with start protection modules that trigger forced power cutoff during consecutive operations as a self-protection mechanism. The safest approach is to wait half a minute before retrying. If the dashboard doesn't illuminate at all, jump-starting should be considered.

[LeSavannah]

It definitely counts as a second attempt to start since the physical action was completed. No response usually indicates a battery or wiring issue. I recommend checking immediately: see if the dashboard powers on normally, test the battery by honking the horn, and observe if the headlights dim sharply during startup. I once encountered loose battery terminals where the first jolt worsened the contact, causing subsequent failures. Common fault points at repair shops also include worn ignition lock cylinders and welded starter relays. Older cars are most prone to such issues—I remember my neighbor's car had an aged starter solenoid switch, where the second attempt to start gave no response when the engine was warm, but it could start when cold. For safety, avoid forcing more than three attempts.

[LincolnDella]

From an operational definition perspective, any action of turning the key to start the engine counts as ignition attempt, regardless of response. However, this situation warrants caution. Common triggers include exposure of weak points in the ignition system, such as when the battery charge drops below 50%, depleting the safety reserve during the first ignition attempt. Another possibility is loose connections in the main control circuit, where vibrations from the initial startup cause an open circuit. I've experienced cases where fuses blew—the first attempt barely powered through but burned out the starter circuit fuse, rendering the second attempt completely ineffective. Aging wire harness connectors under the steering column are also potential hazards, as poor contact can interrupt signal transmission. When encountering this issue, it's advisable to check the battery's internal resistance and starting current values.

[VanTravis]

It definitely counts as a secondary ignition attempt, but if the vehicle doesn't respond, it's a big problem. What gives me the biggest headache is starter motor failure, where carbon buildup causes it to jam after the first operation. Also, things like a damaged generator voltage regulator can cause severe voltage fluctuations, leading to protective system shutdown during secondary ignition. Electronic anti-theft module malfunctions are also quite common - the first ignition triggers an error lockout, making the second attempt completely unresponsive. Once I worked on a car where the crankshaft position sensor was contaminated with oil, causing signal misjudgment during the first attempt and making the ECU reject secondary commands. My suggestion is not to keep trying continuously when encountering this situation - wait three minutes for the system to reset before operating again. Regularly clean oil stains and accumulated water around the starter motor area.