Help: Engine says no - intermittent starting issue

Calps

Member
Ireland
Has anyone experienced an issue restarting their engine after turning it off (when stopped) mid-drive?

Whilst on an enjoyable jaunt at the weekend with Attilio (my first "proper" outing in the car), I heard some rubbing/squeaking from the front end after a dip in the road, and so we pulled over to have a look. I turned the engine off, had a look, didn't see anything obvious, and went to set off again, except when I turned the key in ignition it wouldn't start. First and second click of the key bring up the usual start up lights etc., but when I twist for ignition - nothing.

We were both stumped. Tried a few more times, can hear the pump priming and usual lights, but no end product. No error lights or warning sounds, no starter clicking, just silence. Then, after about 5 minutes, it came back to life.

As it started again after a period of time, I'm guessing it might have to do with the engine cooling down during that period, but there's no indication that I have an overheating issue.

When I got home, I parked up and immediately tried to restart it, and it happened again! Went out to it a few minutes later, and it was back to normal.

I've driven it once since and no re-occurrence, however it was a short trip so the previous conditions were not replicated.

A bit stumped as to what it could be, but am now apprehensive about taking it out for long drives or fear of being stranded somewhere and SWMBO will have to come and rescue me. (noting wrong with that per se, but given her sense of direction, chances are we'd both need rescuing from very different locations eventually).

Would welcome any thoughts as to what might be causing this, or things I could check to rule in/out certain possibilities.
 
Very odd?
But if there's no click from the starter then it seems power is not even getting to the solenoid, or it is, but the solenoid is not actuating.
Sort of rules out an engine issue I'd hope.
I think i I'd be looking at possibly heat soak into the starter solenoid, or a problem with the ignition switch. To begin with anyway.
Check the connections are tight on the starter motor as point one.
 
Thanks both,

enuff_zed said:
I think i I'd be looking at possibly heat soak into the starter solenoid, or a problem with the ignition switch. To begin with anyway.
Check the connections are tight on the starter motor as point one.
Heat is my main suspect at the moment. It's the main variable in the scenarios, so I'll have a look at the starter solenoid. Unsure how to "test" it without finding myself stranded somewhere again though. Perhaps a replacement is the best way to go for peace of mind anyway. Connections are another good shout.

Zulu4 said:
Maybe the same problem as here:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=129240
Seems it was the ignition switch.

It certainly sounds very similar, albeit the OP on that thread experiences it from a cold start, so the ignition switch does makes more sense in that scenario. Worse case scenario, I replace both of them.

I'll fire up INPA later and see if there's any recent error codes that might give some more insight.
 
Starter motor on its way out would be my suggestion intermittant to begin with but will die completly in short time. Had this on my 2.5 although I had no warning of the impending failure. Dash lights all on with key but zilch from the starter motor. Brought it back to like with a few clouts with a hammer but then it died after a few starts to test it. Replaced with a recon unit and back to first turn of the key starting.
 
Can anyone recommend a replacement starter motor, and starter solenoid? Keyword search for each one on Autodoc brings up ~10,000 results.

Alternatively, does anyone have the OEM part no's handy?
 
If it is just your solenoid, you would be just as well to replace the whole starter unit rather than faff around with it.

Starters are usually pretty generic and are common across many car types.
If you put your registration into Autodoc, I'm sure all the various makes would fit and work. You pays your money and you makes your choice 🙂

For info, here is a Realoem link (E85 3.0si)
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BU52-EUR-03-2007-E85-BMW-Z4_30si&diagId=12_1161
 
Zulu4 said:
If it is just your solenoid, you would be just as well to replace the whole starter unit rather than faff around with it.

Starters are usually pretty generic and are common across many car types.
If you put your registration into Autodoc, I'm sure all the various makes would fit and work. You pays your money and you makes your choice 🙂

Thanks Zulu4

The more I look into this, that seems to be the predominant advice - just change both.

The autodoc search is based on my reg/make/model, so I'm sure they'd all work, but the number of options is overwhelming, and it's difficult to sort the good from the bad from the average, so would welcome a steer/recommendation from folks.
 
To be honest, I don't think there is a "bad", but I'd venture that a Bosch unit would last longer than, for example, a Stark unit.

Also, I personally wouldn't bother with one where they ask you to send your old core back to them.
 
Zulu4 said:
To be honest, I don't think there is a "bad", but I'd venture that a Bosch unit would last longer than, for example, a Stark unit.

Also, I personally wouldn't bother with one where they ask you to send your old core back to them.

Precisely my thinking as well - I'm switching between Bosch and Lucas options at the moment.
 
Oh and by the way, I discovered Halfords sell that RTX starter too, for around the same price but without the faff of returning the old one.
 
Reviving an old thread here but having the exact same problem. Started this morning and has done my head in today!

Did a new starter motor solve the problem? Or did you end up doing the ignition switch as well?
 
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