E86 - Engine wont start ….update….now running.

Z4Mariner · Post by **Z4Mariner** » Fri Apr 26, 2024 12:19 pm

Wishing you sucess on finding the real cause !

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Fri Apr 26, 2024 1:12 pm

Attached the spare battery to the poles in the engine bay.
Nothing. Nada.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Fri Apr 26, 2024 1:14 pm

I’m going to plug in the Creator tool later on and recheck that no codes have popped up. Nothing was showing before.

j3nks79 · Post by **j3nks79** » Fri Apr 26, 2024 1:15 pm

Have you checked the earth strap. Sometimes they rot away.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Fri Apr 26, 2024 1:40 pm

j3nks79 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 1:15 pm Have you checked the earth strap. Sometimes they rot away.

No I haven’t. Not even familiar with that.
Any pointers to its shape size and location, before I go down the YouTube rabbit hole……

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Sat Apr 27, 2024 1:50 pm

I plugged the Creator back in today and decided to check into some of the live data.
On the EWS page, the live data showed the below. So I don’t think it’s a case of the key loosing its codes etc.
however, I’m not sure if the means that the EWS has forgotten to remember the key.

: IMG_0856.jpeg (250.31 KiB) Viewed 136 times

Still believing that the immobiliser has stayed on preventing the engine from starting.

Anyone any ideas or suggestions as to how you would prove that???

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Apr 27, 2024 2:58 pm

: Screenshot 2024-04-27 145719.png (43.02 KiB) Viewed 123 times

The Toroidal Coil is the coil of wire around where the key pushes into the ignition switch.
The fact that the code reader seems to say that the EWS recognises the key would suggest this isn't the issue.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 9:58 am

Update:
Engine is now running

Would love to say I solved it, but alas I resorted to getting The AA out. That’s why I have it after all!
They had the car running within about 10 minutes.

j3nks79……you were right. Turned out it was the ground strap.
He put a temporary one on and advised I get a proper BMW one.
Car now fires up perfectly.
With the new starter also installed the engine starts way better than it ever has.

Need to now work out where the new ground strap was put in. Guess I just look for the shiniest object in the engine bay.

: IMG_0887.jpeg (184.13 KiB) Viewed 96 times

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 10:01 am

Good result, not sure what a BMW version of that is though

j3nks79 · Post by **j3nks79** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 10:08 am

Oh that’s an easy fix then. When you were getting no fault codes it indicated a lack of power to the starter. Hence why I thought it might be the ground strap.
Glad you got it sorted in the end.
And look on the bright side. You now won’t have to change the starter motor for a long time lol

j3nks79 · Post by **j3nks79** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 10:09 am

pvr wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 10:01 am Good result, not sure what a BMW version of that is though

Basically the same but 5X the price

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 11:00 am

pvr wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 10:01 am Good result, not sure what a BMW version of that is though

I think he meant get the official OEM part installed.
Looking online they are around £50.

Need to decide if I just leave what e has put on, or change it.

All I do know is the engine fires up super sweet now.

j3nks79 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 10:08 am Oh that’s an easy fix then. When you were getting no fault codes it indicated a lack of power to the starter. Hence why I thought it might be the ground strap.

Unfortunately I didn't get the time at the weekend to investigate where the strap was or if it was at fault. Would have been satisfying to have solved it..but heyho.
Since I had AA membership anyway, I just thought I'd get them out. May as well make use of them.

Is there just the one ground strap?

Z4Mariner · Post by **Z4Mariner** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 12:31 pm

Glad you got it fixed ! On my US-spec E86 there is only one ground strap (other ground wires). I've had mine off to clean & tighten, and it looks like your perished one. For LHD cars it's engine-to-chassis at the right side engine mount chassis bracket. If it's in the same spot for RHD cars, the access may be a bit tighter.

chanlon1 · Post by **chanlon1** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 12:37 pm

Z4Mariner wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 12:31 pm Glad you got it fixed ! On my US-spec E86 there is only one ground strap (other ground wires). I've had mine off to clean & tighten, and it looks like your perished one. For LHD cars it's engine-to-chassis at the right side engine mount chassis bracket. If it's in the same spot for RHD cars, the access may be a bit tighter.

Thanks. I’ll try to get a look later when the weather is better. I stupidly never asked the patrolman where it was fitted as I was in shock that he got it working!
Mind you I am fairly sure he didn’t have to go under the car, so it must be accessible from within.
A shiny silver object should be fairly noticeable

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com