Z4 E85 3.0 - 2005 - will not start!

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:03 pm

Don't think it will be a key problem if the engine doesn't turn over.
Edit: ignore this. See below from colb.

knmstag · Post by **knmstag** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:18 pm

The battery I tried jump starting the Z4 was for a smaller car (1500cc), therefore I’m going to try the larger battery tomorrow. I will update this forum when I know more.
Let’s hope I can get it fixed soon...thanks again guys!

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:26 pm

Battery size for jump starting shouldn't really matter if the other car has its engine running as you will have the power of the two batteries and the other car's alternator producing 14v.

colb · Post by **colb** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:09 pm

If you are certain the starter motor is ok I would suspect that the key is not being recognised by the EWS system in order to release the starter. This could be caused by the key itself loosing the transponder inside if its not an original key and its been apart or the ignition barrel ring aeriel that reads the transponder when the key is inserted has failed in some way. The key should be able to be read by a locksmith or by yourself using an AK90+ key coding machine available on ebay. That is also capable of coding a key but in my experience its a hit and miss proceedure, I didn't manage it but others have coded keys ok. Some diagnostic code readers also have the ability to check the keys they read the key when they are in the ignition, if the aeriel is duff then it wont see the key in diagnostics. Diagnostics can also look at the EWS module and see what it is doing e.g. is it accepting the key that is in the ignition.

Mike6 · Post by **Mike6** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 9:28 am

Still put my money on the starter motor if jumping from another car produces no results. Bench testing the starter will not prove it works under engine forces

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 11:58 am

+1. and failing motors tend to work intermittently, until they fail completely.

BumpyZ4 · Post by **BumpyZ4** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:41 pm

colb wrote: ↑Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:09 pm If you are certain the starter motor is ok I would suspect that the key is not being recognised by the EWS system in order to release the starter. This could be caused by the key itself loosing the transponder inside if its not an original key and its been apart or the ignition barrel ring aeriel that reads the transponder when the key is inserted has failed in some way. The key should be able to be read by a locksmith or by yourself using an AK90+ key coding machine available on ebay. That is also capable of coding a key but in my experience its a hit and miss proceedure, I didn't manage it but others have coded keys ok. Some diagnostic code readers also have the ability to check the keys they read the key when they are in the ignition, if the aeriel is duff then it wont see the key in diagnostics. Diagnostics can also look at the EWS module and see what it is doing e.g. is it accepting the key that is in the ignition.

I had the same issue a while back and I SYNCed my EWS & DME with INPA and solved my problem.

knmstag · Post by **knmstag** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 7:50 pm

Thanks again for your support, suggestions and shares experiences. A local auto key specialist has tested both keys in his workshop, and kindly visited the Z4 at my son’s house today in Burton. The keys are OK, and not cause of problem...keys & ECW box have been tested by locksmith using electronic device.
We have ensured engine is not seized, by turning the crank with a socket & extension bar.
We are going to buy a new/remanufactured starter motor and try that later this week. I had assumed starter motor was OK, as it worked on the bench, but I now uncertain, as a couple of comments on forum suggest it may be an intermittent fault, and may not work under load on the car.
We appreciate your help!

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:25 pm

knmstag wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 7:50 pm Thanks again for your support, suggestions and shares experiences. A local auto key specialist has tested both keys in his workshop, and kindly visited the Z4 at my son’s house today in Burton. The keys are OK, and not cause of problem...keys & ECW box have been tested by locksmith using electronic device.
We have ensured engine is not seized, by turning the crank with a socket & extension bar.
We are going to buy a new/remanufactured starter motor and try that later this week. I had assumed starter motor was OK, as it worked on the bench, but I now uncertain, as a couple of comments on forum suggest it may be an intermittent fault, and may not work under load on the car.
We appreciate your help!

Keep us posted bud- will help us all learn

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:30 pm

knmstag wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 7:50 pm Thanks again for your support, suggestions and shares experiences. A local auto key specialist has tested both keys in his workshop, and kindly visited the Z4 at my son’s house today in Burton. The keys are OK, and not cause of problem...keys & ECW box have been tested by locksmith using electronic device.
We have ensured engine is not seized, by turning the crank with a socket & extension bar.
We are going to buy a new/remanufactured starter motor and try that later this week. I had assumed starter motor was OK, as it worked on the bench, but I now uncertain, as a couple of comments on forum suggest it may be an intermittent fault, and may not work under load on the car.
We appreciate your help!

Well this is turning into a saga, and gutted we can't help.
Finger crossed you get it sorted soon.

Mike6 · Post by **Mike6** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:44 pm

I would go as far as donating money to the migrants crossing the Chanel if it wasn't the starter motor.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:48 pm

Mike6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:44 pm I would go as far as donating money to the migrants crossing the Chanel if it wasn't the starter motor.

Me too, but only for the southbound leg.

Huzee4 · Post by **Huzee4** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 4:27 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:48 pm
Mike6 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:44 pm I would go as far as donating money to the migrants crossing the Chanel if it wasn't the starter motor.
Me too, but only for the southbound leg.

knmstag · Post by **knmstag** » Sun Aug 01, 2021 9:54 pm

I fitted a new starter motor today!
The good news is that engine is now cranking, and sounds promising...however car still will not start!
I removed the spark plugs, expecting them to be soaked with fuel, but they were all bone dry!
The plugs were in poor condition and should have been replaced long ago. It still would not fire up!
I can only assume it’s now a fuel starvation problem.
I don’t understand why this has developed, since the starter motor failure. Any further suggestions to resolve this saga please? Do I need to consider fuel pump & filter? - which is likely to be very awkward to access...
Thanks for your continued help.
Kevin Murray

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:54 am

knmstag wrote: ↑Sun Aug 01, 2021 9:54 pm I fitted a new starter motor today!
The good news is that engine is now cranking, and sounds promising...however car still will not start!
I removed the spark plugs, expecting them to be soaked with fuel, but they were all bone dry!
The plugs were in poor condition and should have been replaced long ago. It still would not fire up!
I can only assume it’s now a fuel starvation problem.
I don’t understand why this has developed, since the starter motor failure. Any further suggestions to resolve this saga please? Do I need to consider fuel pump & filter? - which is likely to be very awkward to access...
Thanks for your continued help.
Kevin Murray

Well the starter is a positive step anyway.
Have you checked the fuses? Just wondering if you may have blown one for the fuel pump while you were trying to start it?
Could also do with checking for any fault codes.

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