Cranks but no start

Spriteracer

Spriteracer

Member
 West Wales
Morning all. Hope someone can help. My Father's 2005 E46 330i has recently had a flat battery which was replaced with a much newer fully charged one. Everything works - locks, lights, etc. except it won't now start. I'm asking here as the platform and M54 engine are so similar to our Zs of that era. Unfortunately I can't access the car with a code reader as it is 200 miles away !

Any ideas on what to try ? I don't believe E46 had the IBS so that probably not an issue. I will get him to check the fuel pump is priming, but the car was working fine before the battery was left to go flat - car not used for a couple of weeks and left with the alarm on.

Thanks.
 
Thanks for that. Interesting. In my case the fuel pump appears to be running fine. All the lights on the dash light up. Everything as normal - just doesn't fire.
 
That sounds as though it may be an immobiliser issue? I had the same thing when I fitted a new DME. Bigwinn was able to sort it by telling the DME not to talk to the immobiliser.
Where is the car?
Would be helpful if somebody could check codes first
 
Thanks all, but being 200 miles away I cannot get to the car anytime soon so trying to diagnose remotely. The only change from running well, was the flat battery which was then replaced with a known good one. All the dash lights come on as usual, it cranks fast and the fuel pump can be heard. I'm told the key fob operates the doors as normal.
 
Spriteracer said:
Thanks all, but being 200 miles away I cannot get to the car anytime soon so trying to diagnose remotely. The only change from running well, was the flat battery which was then replaced with a known good one. All the dash lights come on as usual, it cranks fast and the fuel pump can be heard. I'm told the key fob operates the doors as normal.
Click to expand...
Please note, both bigwinn and I are asking where the car is, in case we, or someone else, can read codes and help out.
 
Spriteracer said:
Hi again and thanks. Sorry - work got in the way. Car is near Huish Champflower (Wiveliscombe) in Somerset.
Click to expand...
Ah ok, bit far from me then, sorry.
Is it worth modifying your title to ask for help in that area?
 
The Somerset address is my Father's. Normally I would go down but I will be racing at Castle Combe next weekend and so I won't get there for a couple of weeks. (putting the sprite back together after an engine rebuild this w/e)

Next stop the AA I think..... Thanks again all for advice and support as always.
 
Just a quick update in this. Car now starts. According to the AA man, disconnecting the battery with the key in the ignition upsets the rolling code between the DME and EWS system such that the key chip code is not recognised at the next start attempt. It needs to be resynchronised, though I'm not sure how he did it. I also spoke this afternoon with a former BMW mechanic who confirmed it. Don't leave the key in was his advice....
 
Just a quick update in this. Car now starts. According to the AA man, disconnecting the battery with the key in the ignition upsets the rolling code between the DME and EWS system such that the key chip code is not recognised at the next start attempt. It needs to be resynchronised, though I'm not sure how he did it. I also spoke this afternoon with a former BMW mechanic who confirmed it. Don't leave the key in was his advice....

I was totally, totally unaware of this....Thank you for this info
 
Me too. On a retrospective search on here there is a bit on Rolling Codes. Must look into this more, particularly how to fix it should it happen again. This forum is such a huge resource of acquired knowledge, it would be a tragedy if it should fade away because of the server issues. I for one would be happy to pay a sub if it assists.
 
Excellent feedback, thank you. One to remember for the future.

Permission to feel smug for at least guessing it was DME/EWS related? :roll:
 
Some code readers can resync the rolling code function between the EWS and DME think BMW Scanner 1.4 on a laptop can do this preety sure I have seen that in the menu.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom