Won't start

M

Marketal

Member
 Scottish Borders
Hi,

I have a 2003 3.0i (love it!) and today it wouldn't start.

Silence from the starter motor, xenon headlamps go off when the ignition key is turned, dashboard lights retain their brightness.

I've charged the battery and the ammeter on the charger is now indicating it's fully charged. It has a BMW battery, which is without a mark and seems pretty new. The battery is sealed and has coloured indicators which indicate that it's fully charged.

I've tried both keys in case it was an immobiliser issue.

What's the next step in pinning down the culprit?

I believe it could be the starter motor, ignition key barrel or a duff battery.

Any help gratefully received.

Cheers

Mark
 
Could be the ignition switch. Around a tenner for one from quarry motors via eBay and a ten minute job to fit.

Might be worth a shot being cheap and quick to change.
 
If you know what you are doing, you could always run a live to the starter solenoid terminal (not the BIG nut!) If it turns over, then suspect either switch as mentioned, or a poor connection. Not sure how accessible the starter is on the M54 though.


Mike
 
Give the starter motor a clout while someone turns the key if it starts its the starter at fault if it doesn't then it could well be the ign switch and you would need to check the outputs.
Alternatively have you got home start with a breakdown provider ? If so give them a call to diagnose for you.

Stuart
 
I tapped it as suggested, and as I did in the early seventies with my various Fords and Morris's (Oh! how it all comes back) and it started. It has done so faultlessly quite a few times, but I think I'll wait until my Indy comes back from holiday to have it looked over properly.

What took the most time was fathoming out where the starter motor is. (It's tucked quite high up under the air intake on the RHS looking from the front. It's also a bit smaller than I thought it would be)

Cheers

Mark
 
Marketal said:
I tapped it as suggested, and as I did in the early seventies with my various Fords and Morris's (Oh! how it all comes back) and it started. It has done so faultlessly quite a few times, but I think I'll wait until my Indy comes back from holiday to have it looked over properly.

What took the most time was fathoming out where the starter motor is. (It's tucked quite high up under the air intake on the RHS looking from the front. It's also a bit smaller than I thought it would be)

Cheers

Mark
Click to expand...


Cool so all you need is a new starter motor fitted and job done. Glad yo managed to diagnose it in the end with very little hassle :thumbsup:

Stuart
 
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