Push to Start with No Action (unless key used first)

[rallyrabbit]

I have a strange problem that I am unsuccessfully trying to diagnose.

1) Open door (car not locked)
2) get in card with key
3) Lights and radio power up
4) press push to start (nothing)
5) again and again nothing (no clicks, sounds, actuation and standby also doesn't work)

Press the unlock or lock/unlock and BOOM, car starts.

Replaced:
1) Clutch pedal sensor for ignition interlock
2) Replaced key fob batter
3) Checked battery voltage at rest and at charge

IT's the weirdest thing. Any suggestions?

 

[rallyrabbit]

For anyone dealing with this later, I figured it out.

The battery positive terminal has that rigid power distribution plate where many power cables tie in, this attached to the top of the terminal. The terminal was loose, but the terminal could not adjust to clamp more. Sources a new terminal with 1 bolt, attached to the power distribution plate, and clamped to the battery, problem solved.

Turns out that when the car thinks it has lost power and gets it back that it expects an "unlock" to be able to use push to start as an anti-theft mechanism.