Car not starting :(

P

PsychoBiker

Member
Hey guys,

i went to start my 04 bmw z4 and doesn't turn over it. it goes through all the checks and all the lights are bright but when i go to start the car all i get is one simple click from the engine bay.

I have connected my diagnostic software to it and was reporting thermostat. but i have cleared the errors and now isnt reporting any fault.

Does this sound like a thermostat fault, also the battery was replaced about 2 months ago and i have had my battery checker/charger and all reports fine with the battery.

Thanks guys

Mark
 
PsychoBiker said:
Hey guys,

i went to start my 04 bmw z4 and doesn't turn over it. it goes through all the checks and all the lights are bright but when i go to start the car all i get is one simple click from the engine bay.

I have connected my diagnostic software to it and was reporting thermostat. but i have cleared the errors and now isnt reporting any fault.

Does this sound like a thermostat fault, also the battery was replaced about 2 months ago and i have had my battery checker/charger and all reports fine with the battery.

Thanks guys

Mark
Click to expand...

Whilst you have tested your battery recently - can you check it again - check the volts and amps....this sounds like battery which is too low on amps to start the car
 
After that it souds like the starter is at fault.

Thermostat wouldnt stop the car from starting though.
 
Here is a pic from the tester.

it is still charging the battery but reading

13.7v
2.82A (not sure if that's just the charging amp's)



When I turn the electrics on there is a click from this on the drivers side of the engine



Then when trying to start the engine I get a louder click from this box on the side of the engine block



Thanks

Mark
 
Sound like the starter. Get someone to sit in and try and start the engine, either touch or use a long handled screwdriver on the body of the starter and feel if it clicks. Also check the battery terminal connections to see if that are tight and sufficient to draw the current to start the car. Loose connections may allow lights but fail when a full charge/current is required.
 
Hi mate just had this with mine. Car making clicking sound, not turning over. all lights are working inc. dash lights.. bizarrely had the 'abs' light flashing??? and radio ok. Tried a jump start from the X3 but it didnt do anything.
So swapped the battery over and the Zed worked fine.
Moral of the story - don't trust the green 'I'm ok' indicator on the battery. :!:
 
Argh ok, I will try another battery, it will still be under warranty the battery too. I don't have a green light on mine as not a bmw battery.

But once I get home I will give that a check, thanks guys
 
I dont believe the AMPs should be that low at any time!!
Be interested to knowing what the cause is in the end
 
Its the battery, I had the exact same problem with mine. Battery went flat 3 times in 3 months, having the radio on when washing the car was enough to drain the battery. Clicking from the engine and flashing headlights each time there wasn't enough juice.
 
Merrsh1 said:
Its the battery, I had the exact same problem with mine. Battery went flat 3 times in 3 months, having the radio on when washing the car was enough to drain the battery. Clicking from the engine and flashing headlights each time there wasn't enough juice.
Click to expand...

When I had a flat battery awhile back they headlights were flashing when trying to start but im just not getting anything when trying to start, the lights on the dash don't dim.

Ive just reseated all the battery cables and also tried it connected straight to another cars battery and still no turn over. ive got the car on charge now and going to leave it on till it finishes charging and goes to maintaining to see if it reports poor battery.

I thought it looked like battery problem but im not so sure now with it not even trying to turn over and it normally clicks loads when it s flat battery but only one single click.

Mark
 
AS AlanJ said ...probably the starter ! sometimes the solenoid can stick on the side of the starter, "A technical knock " can sometimes free it , while trying to start it :wink:

a temporary solution obviously !
 
fixit man said:
AS AlanJ said ...probably the starter ! sometimes the solenoid can stick on the side of the starter, "A technical knock " can sometimes free it , while trying to start it :wink:

a temporary solution obviously !
Click to expand...


Does anyone know where the starter motor is located?
 
PsychoBiker said:
fixit man said:
AS AlanJ said ...probably the starter ! sometimes the solenoid can stick on the side of the starter, "A technical knock " can sometimes free it , while trying to start it :wink:

a temporary solution obviously !
Click to expand...


Does anyone know where the starter motor is located?
Click to expand...

l/h side of the engine at the back, low down, cylindrical shape with a smaller cylindrical shape on the side which is the solenoid ..tap that !!
 
ok ive found it and it is where the click is coming from, i have tried tapping it but still no joy, vid of it clicking below.

http://youtu.be/Unq2U6ajGUk

looks like new starter motor then

thanks for all your help guys

Mark
 
Check the earthing of both the starter motor and the battery terminals, especially as you indicated the battery has recently been out (still under warranty)

I've had a click on trying to start before (different car) and it was a slightly loose earth lead from the battery.
 
Sounds more like flat battery, usually if the starter motor is dead then no click or any response is heard from the starter motor. But get it checked. simple multi-meter over battery connections, 1 to test battery voltage and 2 to test voltage when turning key to cranking position, you should see no more than a 2 volt drop. If more than 2 volts then starter motor or connection problem is evident. hope that helps.
 
I had the same problem happen to me yesterday. The engine wouldnt do anything when i turned the key. I swapped bateries and that didnt do it. Have someone hit the starter motor lightly with a metal pipe or something while you try to turn the engine on, if the engine turns just a bit then its the starter motor coals. Its an easy fix, just take the starter motor of the car and get it to someone who can replace those coals. Hope this helps.
 
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