Starter motor?

C

Cuprat

Member
Had a couple of instances where the car (35is) has struggled to start. It turns over a few times then fires up ….it can’t be the battery as I’ve had that replaced

Is this likely to be the start of the starter motor giving up the ghost?

Ps oddly both times were in the same parking spot at the cinema I take my son to!!
 
Well it could be the starter, yes.
But saying 'it can't be the battery' is an assumption.
For instance, why did you change it? Was it old, or just not holding a charge?
Is it possible there is a constant draw on the battery and the cinema is not far enough away from home for the battery to recharge after the first start?
Just saying that because something has just been replaced, don't ignore it when another issue arises.
 
Thanks for the reply

I’m not mechanically minded so appreciate any and all comments and apologise for my stupid questions:)

I replaced the battery as I didn’t know how old the battery was when I got the car and got an error message for low charge. I know the battery causes issues if faulty so changed it to be sure I had a good working one

The cinema is an hour away so a decent drive and the car mainly gets used for longer drives.
 
Cuprat said:
Thanks for the reply

I’m not mechanically minded so appreciate any and all comments and apologise for my stupid questions:)

I replaced the battery as I didn’t know how old the battery was when I got the car and got an error message for low charge. I know the battery causes issues if faulty so changed it to be sure I had a good working one

The cinema is an hour away so a decent drive and the car mainly gets used for longer drives.
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Thanks for taking that in the spirit it was meant.
In that case, I would put it down purely to coincidence and yes, consider the starter motor.
Do check first though that the connections to the battery have been put on nice and tight.

Of course, if said son is leaving his Ipad charging in the car during the film..................... :rofl:
 
:) I don’t think it’s his iPad …. That never leaves his side!

It happened once before the battery change and once after so I don’t think it’s the battery connections. I have the BMW warranty and break down cover so will see how it goes but ideally I’d prefer not to have a fail to start. It’s in for its MOT reasonably soon so will get it looked at then.
 
When you say it struggles to start, does it turn over at the same speed but just takes a longer to start or is it turning over slower?
 
Little hard to describe and I have been enjoying the pub and sun today :)

Usually, push the start button and engine starts instantaneously

Every now and again, press the start button and it makes a starting noise, ‘turns over’ a few times like it’s trying to fire up then the engine starts

I’ve only ever had a starter motor issue once before on a previous car and that just literally didn’t do anything when the key was turned…. Tap of the hammer and away it went. That was a mini from the late 80s though !
 
Don't right off an injector problem, could one leaking producing a hard to crank over if it stops at just before top dead centre, once clears fires up. See if black smoke from exhaust on start.
 
Thanks. I’ll check that out

I think the car has had new injectors fairly recently but I guess that doesn’t necessarily mean there is no problem
 
flybobbie said:
Don't right off an injector problem, could one leaking producing a hard to crank over if it stops at just before top dead centre, once clears fires up. See if black smoke from exhaust on start.
Click to expand...

Run that one past us again?
 
SV8Predator said:
flybobbie said:
Don't right off an injector problem, could one leaking producing a hard to crank over if it stops at just before top dead centre, once clears fires up. See if black smoke from exhaust on start.
Click to expand...

Run that one past us again?
Click to expand...

If near tdc and fuel drips in possible slight hyd. lock, causing the motor to struggle to turn engine. Reason why it's random. Once cleared the engine turns normally and starts. Any excess fuel burns giving a black exhaust smoke.
Could pull the plugs see if any are sooty.
 
If injector issue would you potentially get a slight fuel smell? I did notice a slight smell after the last struggle to start but thought nothing of it
 
flybobbie said:
If near tdc and fuel drips in possible slight hyd. lock, causing the motor to struggle to turn engine.
Click to expand...

If there was a hydraulic lock, the engine would be damaged. Is this scenario something you've actually experienced?
 
SV8Predator said:
flybobbie said:
If near tdc and fuel drips in possible slight hyd. lock, causing the motor to struggle to turn engine.
Click to expand...

If there was a hydraulic lock, the engine would be damaged. Is this scenario something you've actually experienced?
Click to expand...
No, just a theory. If the cyl. had a significant amount of fuel it would lock.
 
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