Intermittent Starting Fault

R

RobG23

New member
Hi Guys,

New to the forum, recently bought an e86, had two months with no issues, but all of a sudden the car has decided it doesn't want to start.

Battery seemed flat and looking through the service history hasn't been replaced for a few years so bought a new Bosch battery.

Fitted this started first turn of the key, I thought problem resolved. Later that day I left work and the car no longer starts.

I have checked the obvious, interior lights being on, doors shut, alternator belt still intact. But according to my charger the battery is fully charged.

Looking for possible ideas as to why the car isnt starting, the dash lights up like a christmas tree but the engine doesn't seem to crank.

I don't believe it is the starter motor as when I put the new battery in, it doesn't struggle to turn the engine over.

Other than this, love the car.
 
Hi, the ignition switch on the back of the key lock is a common problem giving similar intermittent starter problems even with a new battery, also worth checking the starter, loads of threads on the forum where they periodically jam,
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=82194&hilit
 
Ewazix has it spot on. It will be starter solenoid or ignition switch. Both well reported problems. You can sometimes get the starter to burst into life by placing a length of 2x2 on it and tapping with a mallet if that is the issue. If it doesn't make any difference I would be changing the ignition switch as it's not expensive and very easy to do.
 
I have ordered a starter which I am planning to change tomorrow, would this cause a battery drain if its dead? As my new battery had nothing left in it after about 12/14 hours, car had nothing left, would even unlock remotely.
 
Hmm, if you have a large parasitic current draw, that is a different problem. Originally you mentioned that your charger said the battery was fully charged. If it has flattened a brand new bosch battery in 12hrs then we are talking about a 7A or so current draw. I would be suspecting the water pump running continuously. You can check by putting your hand on it with the engine off after 5 mins or so. You can usually hear it as well.
 
Strangely I had a similar problem with my current E86.

I bought it in May 2016 and within a few months is was sometimes reluctant to start, even when hot.

I had it serviced in June 2017 and my Indy said it may be the starter motor getting tired (it had done over 80K miles by then).

But then it went to my Indy for a diagnostic check in December 2017 and the battery couldn't cope with that, so I agreed to having a new one fitted.

Then when I went to use it today (albeit after 9/10 days of not being used) it was pretty sluggish starting, which didn't seem quite right. Especially as my 1 Series sat on the drive for 5 weeks in 2010 while I was in Australia, and just started like I'd had a weekend away!

I'll try using my solar charger first, but will start to budget for a new starter motor. :(
 
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