I have a 2005 R52 S, 6 speed manual. For the last few days it's had intermittent issues when starting, the key would turn and all the dash lights would come on but the engine wouldn't crank. Most of the time letting the clutch out and putting it back in fixed it. Today I went to start it, and no matter what I did, it wouldn't start. I know my battery is good (I even tried to start it with a jump box connected), so I'm thinking I might have a bad clutch safety switch. From what I've found online it's a hall effect sensor instead of an actual tactile switch, so in theory I might be able to confirm that it's gone bad by holding a magnet up to it (If the magnet has no effect, there's a good chance it's that sensor). Does the magnet have to be a certain type, and are there any other troubleshooting steps I can do?

When the key is in the ignition with the driver door open there's the chime/beeping, so that leads me to believe that the key is good.

 

Tried several magnets today, and here are my results:

With the key on, I could push the clutch pedal in and hear a click from the clutch switch. I took off the switch and held a magnet to the backside, but after a little bit it stopped clicking (no matter if the key was on or not, it even wouldn't click when the clutch pedal was in). When it was still clicking, it wouldn't start. Did I just break my switch, and will a new one fix all of my problems?

 

Any update? Exact same situation started for me this week.