Car will not start

T

Tenko

Member
Tonight I thought I'd go for a blast, key in ignition, all the usual lights, turned the key- absolutely nothing, no click of solenoid nothing, checked fuses - all ok, plugged obd2 in- no warnings or codes, hooter works , indicators work, all electrics seem to be ok, battery power is ok, plugged my small booster battery in as well, nothing. Any pointers please?
 
Could be the ignition switch. Known issue.

I bought a used one from quarry motors via eBay for a tenner. Ten minute job do change as well.
 
I have tried both keys, both unlock and lock remotely, just absolutely nothing when I turn the key, it was fine 2 days ago, started, drove ok, nothing seemed to be amiss.
 
Tenko said:
If it was the starter surely I'd hear the solenoid?
Click to expand...

Yes I would expect you to, but when the starter went on my sons E85, you could hardly hear it, of course it might be the solenoid that's got a bad connection
 
Im just thinking its unlikely to be the ignition switch, as you said all the warning lights come on in position 2 as normal, if the switch was faulty, I wouldn't expect them to come on, but you saying there is no solenoid click, there is the first place I would look
 
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=107662

Sounds like what happened to mine last week.
 
As RustyZ4 says, Sounds like sticking starter to me. Normally no lights on dash when ignition switch is 'FUBAR'ed.
 
Give the starter a bang and see if it turns over if so euro cp is your next port of call seem to be lots of them failing at the moment think it maybe the hot weather or bmw have fitted a timed fail :rofl:
 
Unless your battery is absolutely dead it will pretty much always show around the 11-12V mark when sitting idle (ignition etc off) so it's not an indication of battery charge. When you go to turn the engine over the voltage will plummet, and you typically need at least 9V when cranking to start the engine. you can try connecting the multimeter to battery and see what the voltage is when cranking

I hope you solve your problem with charging it, but I am still leaning towards the solenoid or starter

If it is the starter, giving it a bang can sometimes work, certainly didn't on my sons E85 :headbang:
 
Well I got it going, but don't which sorted it cos I both tapped the starter motor and charged the battery, Doh!. Battery was showing 12.6v . I have only been doing short trips to work in it recently with th a/c on, so maybe that was draining the battery, and the run not long enough to give it a good charge. Any way happy chappy again , cos I can sort either of those probs. Thank you for all your ideas, cheers. :D :D :D
 
Went again, this time just tapped the starter, fired up. What is the best replacement? BMW or something else?
 
Yeh sounds like its on its way out.
My son had a bosch one fitted when his went (£150 fitted), I believe euro car parts are quite reasonable for these,
 
I am reasonable with spanners how long will it take me to change the starter motor, I haven't worked on 4 wheels for quite some time, or should I take it to a local mechanic?
 
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