McLarens & Reliability
Discussion
6 days in from getting my 570s and on a return trip from France via the ferry to Portsmouth my car would not fire up. Parked in pole position to be first off when we docked with a herd of angry trucks behind and I'm sitting there stabbing the start button but nothing, even tried locking the car several times hoping it would clear. All the dash lights worked so battery appeared OK, no warning messages on the dash and I've got my foot mashing the brake pedal but no joy, not even a click from a possible stuck starter. The trucks are guided past my window about 50mm away so they can squeeze out and the other cars make their way around me. McLaren assist are no help as it's the AA and they take an age to come out, not sure of the procedure for them if it's on a ferry, and it's late evening so no dealers open to call for advice on what to do and Brittany Ferries want to load the next batch of trucks and cars for the return journey.
Eventually after 30 minutes it fired, at that time I don't know why or how and off we went much to everyone's relief. On calling the dealer in the morning who supplied the car they tell me this is not unheard of, apparently if you're not reasonably firm with your foot pressure on the brake pedal initially it can 'upset' the sensor or system and you need to do a control,alt, delete by locking the car and wait for the system to completely shut down then try again and away it will go.
Extremely embarrassing in a car like this and also makes you wonder how they would have moved it off the ferry. Does anyone know what needs to be done to move a McLaren when in this situation? I had visions of the car going back and forth on the ferry to Le Havre until it got fixed
Eventually after 30 minutes it fired, at that time I don't know why or how and off we went much to everyone's relief. On calling the dealer in the morning who supplied the car they tell me this is not unheard of, apparently if you're not reasonably firm with your foot pressure on the brake pedal initially it can 'upset' the sensor or system and you need to do a control,alt, delete by locking the car and wait for the system to completely shut down then try again and away it will go.
Extremely embarrassing in a car like this and also makes you wonder how they would have moved it off the ferry. Does anyone know what needs to be done to move a McLaren when in this situation? I had visions of the car going back and forth on the ferry to Le Havre until it got fixed
I wonder if something had set off the immobilser perhaps?
This reminds about how a fter a particularly tough workout at the gym, got into the Mac and it didn’t fire up. I’ve been one of those saying how faultless my car has been - but then I had all these forum stories echoing in my head as I got out and restarted the whole process. Started thinking how I was going to get home and if service Centre was going to be open this holiday weekend.
Took me a couple of re-tries to realize I had been foolishly pressing the D button instead of Stop/Start. Stupid error.
In my defense I do drive different cars including EV’s where you go into D immediately, but interesting how forum rumors can put things in your head.
This reminds about how a fter a particularly tough workout at the gym, got into the Mac and it didn’t fire up. I’ve been one of those saying how faultless my car has been - but then I had all these forum stories echoing in my head as I got out and restarted the whole process. Started thinking how I was going to get home and if service Centre was going to be open this holiday weekend.
Took me a couple of re-tries to realize I had been foolishly pressing the D button instead of Stop/Start. Stupid error.
In my defense I do drive different cars including EV’s where you go into D immediately, but interesting how forum rumors can put things in your head.
Edited by 12pack on Sunday 5th May 10:09
RBT0 said:
Never heard of this case, sorry to hear, Weird as well, but now you have good insights from the dealer on why?
Do you reckon it got started as dealer said once you had it locked and waited for few mins?
Yes, my panic and rage had settled down by then and I had been searching the manual on how to move the car for a while, I think that enough time had passed and it reset itself.Do you reckon it got started as dealer said once you had it locked and waited for few mins?
Interestingly to put this into perspective a new 720S owner had called them the previous day with the same issue. Operator error I guess.
Crazy4557 said:
6 days in from getting my 570s and on a return trip from France via the ferry to Portsmouth my car would not fire up. Parked in pole position to be first off when we docked with a herd of angry trucks behind and I'm sitting there stabbing the start button but nothing, even tried locking the car several times hoping it would clear. All the dash lights worked so battery appeared OK, no warning messages on the dash and I've got my foot mashing the brake pedal but no joy, not even a click from a possible stuck starter. The trucks are guided past my window about 50mm away so they can squeeze out and the other cars make their way around me. McLaren assist are no help as it's the AA and they take an age to come out, not sure of the procedure for them if it's on a ferry, and it's late evening so no dealers open to call for advice on what to do and Brittany Ferries want to load the next batch of trucks and cars for the return journey.
Eventually after 30 minutes it fired, at that time I don't know why or how and off we went much to everyone's relief. On calling the dealer in the morning who supplied the car they tell me this is not unheard of, apparently if you're not reasonably firm with your foot pressure on the brake pedal initially it can 'upset' the sensor or system and you need to do a control,alt, delete by locking the car and wait for the system to completely shut down then try again and away it will go.
Extremely embarrassing in a car like this and also makes you wonder how they would have moved it off the ferry. Does anyone know what needs to be done to move a McLaren when in this situation? I had visions of the car going back and forth on the ferry to Le Havre until it got fixed
Sorry to hear this, I have had it a couple of times myself - ignition lights up but the engine wouldn't start. I actually rang the salesman I bought it from (I did feel bad as it was 7am on a sunday morning), and he told me to press down on the brake as firm as possible... I did so and it started fine, slightly embarrassing for me though. Eventually after 30 minutes it fired, at that time I don't know why or how and off we went much to everyone's relief. On calling the dealer in the morning who supplied the car they tell me this is not unheard of, apparently if you're not reasonably firm with your foot pressure on the brake pedal initially it can 'upset' the sensor or system and you need to do a control,alt, delete by locking the car and wait for the system to completely shut down then try again and away it will go.
Extremely embarrassing in a car like this and also makes you wonder how they would have moved it off the ferry. Does anyone know what needs to be done to move a McLaren when in this situation? I had visions of the car going back and forth on the ferry to Le Havre until it got fixed
To move the car, you can still release the brake without the engine running, so you would've been able to move back/fourth
Yep, I've recently purchased a 720 and have had the same issue. I've come to learn that the brake needs to be firmly pressed - I now have calf muscles like Arnie.
I've joined the McLaren Owners Club. Lots of experienced peeps who seem to be a good sociable bunch. Lots of weekend activities etc.
I've joined the McLaren Owners Club. Lots of experienced peeps who seem to be a good sociable bunch. Lots of weekend activities etc.
Owners Club common view on the non starting... press hard on the brake pedal, left foot down, plenty of pressure and away you go.
Some cars seem to need more pressure than others, I've never had the problem on my cars. Must have been very annoying for you, and more ammo for the McLarens are unreliable doom mongers.
Some cars seem to need more pressure than others, I've never had the problem on my cars. Must have been very annoying for you, and more ammo for the McLarens are unreliable doom mongers.
bordseye said:
A McLaren is about speed and performance, not superfluous bells and whistles. If you want those then buy an Audi.
Depends which McLaren you buy. Although the 720s is missile quick and can smash most of the competition, it was designed as a useable everyday road-car with driver comfort in mind. It's a piece of piss to drive and I like the bells and whistles. For a car costing over £250K when new, it isn't unreasonable to expect everything to work. People from McLaren are aware of the gripes and moans on this forum, as well as others, so the more they are aware that there are basic quality issues, the more likely they will address them – reputational damage is a good motivator. I know that the McOwners Club have now got the ear of top brass at McLaren and issues are being dealt with.
Crazy4557 said:
Thanks, is there an active forum on there?
The web link is to the formal website where there are instructions to join the club. The forum operates via a closed FB group. Mainly UK based and is recognised by McLaren as the UK owners club. The people who run it have meetings with McLaren exec’s. It’s the one to join.Had the non-starting issue in my brand new 720 in Burford High Street. I knew about the hard pedal press but it still didn't start and wouldn't for a further hour after that. I had to wander off eventually because people were asking to "start her up" (Burford High Street is busy!) and it was a bit embarrassing. Locking it and leaving it for 30 minutes did the trick.
br d said:
Had the non-starting issue in my brand new 720 in Burford High Street. I knew about the hard pedal press but it still didn't start and wouldn't for a further hour after that. I had to wander off eventually because people were asking to "start her up" (Burford High Street is busy!) and it was a bit embarrassing. Locking it and leaving it for 30 minutes did the trick.
Funny, but not funny.br d said:
Had the non-starting issue in my brand new 720 in Burford High Street. I knew about the hard pedal press but it still didn't start and wouldn't for a further hour after that. I had to wander off eventually because people were asking to "start her up" (Burford High Street is busy!) and it was a bit embarrassing. Locking it and leaving it for 30 minutes did the trick.
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