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Car Starting Problem
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1074
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 1:17 pm
Car Starting Problem
Does sound like the starter motor on its way out. From experience on other cars they can be a bit fickle as they fade.
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- Member
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:24 pm
- Location: Essex
Car Starting Problem
Update...
Took both keys and ews unit to Ben @ BMKeys.
He couldn’t see an issue with them, but made sure the ews unit and both keys had the same code.
Tried both keys but engine still didn’t start.
Took car battery out and put it on an a charger. Think battery was only half charged. Left it on charge for 24 hours and just connected it to the car, but engine still didn’t start.
Looked on here and internet to see if I can identify the location of the starter motor. Couldn’t find anything clearly pointing it out. I think I found the starter motor location after a while, but not 100% sure. Hit it with hammer and wood, but engine still didn’t start.
Can any kind person pls send me a photo of exactly where the starter motor is located on a 2005 manual pls.
Is the starter motor easy to replace, or should I get it towed to the Indy and ask them to have a look at it?
I know some of you said it would be the starter motor, but I thought I would try some easier things first, in case they fixed it.
Thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate the help.
Took both keys and ews unit to Ben @ BMKeys.
He couldn’t see an issue with them, but made sure the ews unit and both keys had the same code.
Tried both keys but engine still didn’t start.
Took car battery out and put it on an a charger. Think battery was only half charged. Left it on charge for 24 hours and just connected it to the car, but engine still didn’t start.
Looked on here and internet to see if I can identify the location of the starter motor. Couldn’t find anything clearly pointing it out. I think I found the starter motor location after a while, but not 100% sure. Hit it with hammer and wood, but engine still didn’t start.
Can any kind person pls send me a photo of exactly where the starter motor is located on a 2005 manual pls.
Is the starter motor easy to replace, or should I get it towed to the Indy and ask them to have a look at it?
I know some of you said it would be the starter motor, but I thought I would try some easier things first, in case they fixed it.
Thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate the help.
Black Z4 3.0
!!!Everytime I look at it, I can't help smiling!!!
!!!Everytime I look at it, I can't help smiling!!!
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Car Starting Problem
Identical issue to other members and it turned out to be the ignition key switch which seems to be a common fault and a cheap fix
Previous.... viewtopic.php?f=3&t=82194&hilit
Previous.... viewtopic.php?f=3&t=82194&hilit
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- SeanConnor
- Member
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:07 pm
- Location: South West (Swindon)
Car Starting Problem
Mine does the same. I have replaced:
Ignition switch
Starter motor
Battery
Key
I still does it now and again Current theory is that it is either the key barrel antenna or the immobiliser unit. I had the car at an auto-electrician ( a good one) for three days and it wouldn't do it.A couple of days after of course and it takes three goes to start on BP's forecourt.FFS
Thanatu55 I think was having the same problem but I've not seen any updates.
Ignition switch
Starter motor
Battery
Key
I still does it now and again Current theory is that it is either the key barrel antenna or the immobiliser unit. I had the car at an auto-electrician ( a good one) for three days and it wouldn't do it.A couple of days after of course and it takes three goes to start on BP's forecourt.FFS
Thanatu55 I think was having the same problem but I've not seen any updates.
2008 Sport Coupe Automatic with lots of extras.
Now with cruise control and Mediabridge Gold wheels HAVE BEEN SACKED.
Now with cruise control and Mediabridge Gold wheels HAVE BEEN SACKED.
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Car Starting Problem
Try to keep up! OP has already changed that twice. The starter is at the back of the engine below the inlet manifold. Bit of a bitch to get at from above, but can be changed without removing the manifold apparently...
Last edited by ph001 on Tue May 01, 2018 10:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Car Starting Problem
This post has a little DIY on changing and also describes symptoms very similar to yours... http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359809
- JamieZ4C
- Member
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:17 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Car Starting Problem
Reading this with interest as my start up is always a little sluggish.
OP, from everything I've read I think changing the starter is probably your next logical step.
If you do, please let us know how you get on!
OP, from everything I've read I think changing the starter is probably your next logical step.
If you do, please let us know how you get on!
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Car Starting Problem
Yeees, got that in post 1
OP Changed the switch and it started fine for a couple of weeks, changed switch and it worked again, and same again. If the only thing that happened to cure the fault on those occasions was to change the switch then either improbable coincidence is involved, or the switch(s) connections or feed are faulty. Just applying logic.
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Car Starting Problem
Must admit, I thought that was odd too but the chances of having a switch go faulty for a third time seem just as improbable. Dodgy connections / wiring to it, a distinct possibility though. The piece of 2x2 and a tap with a mallet is usually pretty conclusive though, as long as the OP is sure he's actually hitting the right thing!Ewazix wrote: ↑Tue May 01, 2018 4:56 pm OP Changed the switch and it started fine for a couple of weeks, changed switch and it worked again, and same again. If the only thing that happened to cure the fault on those occasions was to change the switch then either improbable coincidence is involved, or the switch(s) connections or feed are faulty. Just applying logic.
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Car Starting Problem
Per TIS v2.0 for the rare but desirable Lucas equipped Z4 built at Longbridge?
Worth a try.
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
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- Member
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:24 pm
- Location: Essex
Car Starting Problem
Hi everyone!
Sorry for the delay in responding.
I was on holiday last week, so just getting back to fixing this now.
I have tried a few things as previously mentioned and nothing has worked
I don't have the time to spend on trying to fix it, so tomorrow morning I will have it towed to my local indy by my breakdown cover and get them to look at it.
I would have liked to have fixed it myself, but time (and mechanical knowledge!) is an issue.
I will keep you all informed on what the indy says.
Thanks for all the help...it is very much appreciated.
Sorry for the delay in responding.
I was on holiday last week, so just getting back to fixing this now.
I have tried a few things as previously mentioned and nothing has worked
I don't have the time to spend on trying to fix it, so tomorrow morning I will have it towed to my local indy by my breakdown cover and get them to look at it.
I would have liked to have fixed it myself, but time (and mechanical knowledge!) is an issue.
I will keep you all informed on what the indy says.
Thanks for all the help...it is very much appreciated.
Black Z4 3.0
!!!Everytime I look at it, I can't help smiling!!!
!!!Everytime I look at it, I can't help smiling!!!
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- Newbie
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 10:02 pm
Car Starting Problem
Hi Baadshah,
I've got the same issue and gone down pretty much the same path as you. (replaced starter solenoid, battery testing, checked volt drop from to rear and supply to the starter) I've also sent my EWS both keys to Ben at BM keys. My diagnostic tool listed the EWS as the fault. I purchased an Ebay EWS and Ben has cloned mine onto that. Yet to try as they've not arrived back yet. My next step is this ignition switch.
I've got the same issue and gone down pretty much the same path as you. (replaced starter solenoid, battery testing, checked volt drop from to rear and supply to the starter) I've also sent my EWS both keys to Ben at BM keys. My diagnostic tool listed the EWS as the fault. I purchased an Ebay EWS and Ben has cloned mine onto that. Yet to try as they've not arrived back yet. My next step is this ignition switch.
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Car Starting Problem
Would be great to get an update on this OP??
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- Newbie
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2022 3:42 pm
Car Starting Problem
OP did you ever get this resolved? I've just started having a similar issue(lights come on, everything works, but engine doesn't start). It's fairly sporadic at the moment.
- Panta Rhei
- Member
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:48 pm
Car Starting Problem
ignition switch (10 min job)
starter motor next step if first one fails
starter motor next step if first one fails