No crank or start

[randy72877]

i did google it and I was correct. It's the white box under the dash but, all the wires are the same size. I don't see two bigger wires that I need to cut.

The white box that you posted a photo of is NOT the ews. It is an aftermarket alarm. The ews module is smaller than the alarm and has only one connector at one end. It is white and says ews on it. It is mounted up near where the brake pedal is mounted to the firewall.

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[randy72877]

The alarm works. I can lock and unlock the car

Do you mean with the bmw remote key or an additional fob? The aftermarket alarm would have a separate fob/remote.

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[legoman67]

they are all big wires. Here's what my ews looks like. I'm not sure the bunch of wires in the pic are normal but, for sure it was tampered with in the past. Look at my ignition. It has electrical tape and two wires taped down. I bought the car this way and it ran fine but, I suspect the ignition might be the culprit which is why I want to bypass the first stage.
Can anyone tell me which of the two wires I need to cut and jump together?
thanks!
Attachment 599913
Attachment 599914Attachment 599915

Thats not the EWS module. The EWS module is bolted to the top inside of the dash above the kick panel. stick your head under the dash and look up.

[Assassin27]

Where's the ews on a 2001 325i auto?

It should be under the steering column to the left side. Take out the panel and it should be in full view.


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[drewusmaximus]

I found the ews III. There are two big wires that feed into the connector. Black and a blue wire. I assume those are the two wires I should cut, since those are the only two big wires?

[Eaglesail]

If putting a new 12-v charged to top battery does not solve your problem....plug the car into BMW program iceds. Here, you can identify your issue! very SIMPLE!!!

[Eaglesail]

Noooooooooooooooo!

[drewusmaximus]

Iceds?

[Assassin27]

I found the ews III. There are two big wires that feed into the connector. Black and a blue wire. I assume those are the two wires I should cut, since those are the only two big wires?

Yea that should be it


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[drewusmaximus]

I jumped the wires and she's cranking. I'm letting the battery charge for a bit and see if she will start.

[drewusmaximus]

She's running!!!!! It was the key chip or the antenna ring that's the culprit. She's running and purring like a kitten!!

[drewusmaximus]

There is a black wire and a blue and black wire. The blue/black wire looks like two wires joined together but, it's actually one wire. I cut the wires about4 inches away from the connector just in case I have to connect the wires back. I twisted the black and black/blue wires together and she started. It took a few tries because it was sitting since November. Now I have a new problem. I put the car in reverse and the driver side rear wheel doesn't move. It seems locked. I never had the e brake on so, I'm not sure what's going on.

[randy72877]

There is a black wire and a blue and black wire. The blue/black wire looks like two wires joined together but, it's actually one wire. I cut the wires about4 inches away from the connector just in case I have to connect the wires back. I twisted the black and black/blue wires together and she started. It took a few tries because it was sitting since November. Now I have a new problem. I put the car in reverse and the driver side rear wheel doesn't move. It seems locked. I never had the e brake on so, I'm not sure what's going on.

The pads are stuck to the rotors with rust. That will happen when a car sits outside in the rain and snow. Just put it in drive and give it some gas and it should break free. You will have to resurface all of the rotors at the very least to get the brakes right.

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[drewusmaximus]

The pads are stuck to the rotors with rust. That will happen when a car sits outside in the rain and snow. Just put it in drive and give it some gas and it should break free. You will have to resurface all of the rotors at the very least to get the brakes right.

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You're correct! I gave it a little gas and it freed!
Thank you all for you're help!

[legoman67]

She's running!!!!! It was the key chip or the antenna ring that's the culprit. She's running and purring like a kitten!!

If it starts with those wires jumped it means the problem is the relay inside the ews module that controls those wires. If the key or antenna ring were bad it wouldnt start.

[drewusmaximus]

If it starts with those wires jumped it means the problem is the relay inside the ews module that controls those wires. If the key or antenna ring were bad it wouldnt start.

Jumping the wires bypasses the key and antenna ring. All that is left is the ews handshaking with the DME, then the signal goes to the starter and fuel pump.

[drewusmaximus]

It's hard to believe only the relay is damaged in the ews and not the entire ews.

[legoman67]

Jumping the wires bypasses the key and antenna ring. All that is left is the ews handshaking with the DME, then the signal goes to the starter and fuel pump.

No it doesnt. The Key needs to match before the handshake happens.

The relay is typically what fails in the EWS modules.

[Eaglesail]

So the battery had gone dead several times in your're investigation! Seems there may be a big DC draw, a large draw of dc current. If when parked, all things shut off, if you were to remove one of the battery cables, wait a minute, then reconnect the battery lead, is there a good sized spark?

I'm just trying to understand if one of many electrical components is open?

Have you plugged a code reader in yet?

[drewusmaximus]

So the battery had gone dead several times in your're investigation! Seems there may be a big DC draw, a large draw of dc current. If when parked, all things shut off, if you were to remove one of the battery cables, wait a minute, then reconnect the battery lead, is there a good sized spark?

I'm just trying to understand if one of many electrical components is open?

Have you plugged a code reader in yet?

There's a little spark, which I think is normal but, no big spark. I have plugged in a scanner and there were codes for misfires on cylinder 5 and 6, which are bad coil packs. I can't tell if something is draining the battery because the battery I have is shot. I need a good battery to leave in there for a couple of days, which I don't have.