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Thread: Car won't start, turn over, or even click, battery has 12v

  1. #1
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    Car won't start, turn over, or even click, battery has 12v

    Hi

    I have a 2000 E39 540i with about 89k miles. Yesterday the car wouldn't start, there were no warning signs that anything was wrong. The engine wouldn't even try to turn over. Eventually my wife came over and I was able to jump start the car on the first try. So I drove home with the expectation that I would just jump the car today and drive over to Autozone since the battery is only 1 year old. But I cannot get the car started at all today. The battery still shows 12v, all lights and radio seem to be working fine. I tried jumping from both the front location and also directly at the battery but it made no difference.

    The car doesn't even try to turn over, I can't hear anything happening in the engine when I turn the key.

    Any ideas what might be wrong, or suggestions for further troubleshooting? Could it be something weird with the engine management?

    Thanks, Derek

  2. #2
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    By “the battery still shows 12v”, do you mean exactly 12.0 volts? If so, that’s to low, get it on a charger overnight, try in the morning


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  3. #3
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    yeah, it was something like 12.08v.

  4. #4
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    Turn the headlights on and then measure the battery voltage. Probably will read much lower than 12 volts.
    How clean and tight are the battery cables?
    If you get it started read the voltage when the engine is running at 1500+ RPM just to make sure the alternator is working OK.

  5. #5
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    Battery cables are in good shape, the battery isn't even a year old. Its trickle charging now, hopefully I can get it going tomorrow, and its nothing more expensive than a battery still under warranty.

  6. #6
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    A trickle charge will take a LONG time to charge your battery. Got a charger that will do 5-10 amps? That's what you really need.

  7. #7
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    yeah I know but its the best I've got for now. If I can't get it started tomorrow, I'll just pull the battery and bring it in for testing without the car attached!

  8. #8
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    I presume you've checked the battery cable attachments? We've had a spate of these lately where the guy found a battery cable loose...
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  9. #9
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    If you can end up ruling out the battery & it's connections, I'd vote to try the iggy switch test.
    Our electronic ignition switches are known to go out.
    My symptoms were that the engine would not turn over, not even a "click" on the 1st, 2nd, 4th try, and then start up like nothing was wrong on the 5th try. Next time it might start on the 8th try, or the 4th try, or even the 1st try.
    Try turning the key to the 2nd position (don't actually try to start it) & then open the passenger side sun visor mirror. If you notice the steering wheel moving up or down, or any other weird electrical things going on, it's your iggy switch.

    But first, do whatever you need to do to rule out your battery.
    <== Steptronic Sealbeach740
    2000 740i sport: 74k Green/Tan chrome MPars, clear corners, quad brake lights, AIC hi-beams, Hoen fogs, 16x9 screen, MKIV, TFT LCD screen in back, license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, iPod audio/video (CDC/iPod audio switching, iPod video on 16x9 screen), Basslink, gauge rings, ///M pedals, switched steptronic +/- shifting mode, E46 paddle shifter steering wheel, Dinan engine & tranny software upgrade, DDEs controlled via Euro fog light switch, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, windows up/sunroof close via remote.

    2003 540i sport: 81k, Sterling grey/grey, MKIV Nav, PDC & CWP - Added license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, paddle shift steering wheel, windows up/sunroof close via remote, Akebono's, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, quad brake lights, iPod audio via AUX mode/video via 16x9 screen, BMW TV tuner, ///M pedals & gauge rings.

  10. #10
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    The battery just tested out as A-OK. I plugged it back in and all lights and dashboard stuff came on like normal (this was also happening just fine before I pulled the battery). The car still won't start. The only thing I can hear when trying to start the car is a light electrical sound in the engine bay. I couldn't isolate where it was coming from. Somewhere near the ABS control unit (which I had refurbished last year).

    I've never heard of the Iggy switch but gonna go try that now. This is really strange. These aren't symptoms of a faulty starter are they?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Ok, the steering wheel moved when I opened the passenger side mirror with the ignition in position 2. What the heck is an Iggy switch? How do I fix it , hopefully its not too expensive. Thanks for the tip sealbeach740.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Alright I figured out you must mean the ignition switch. Is it safe to just use one from auto zone or is that not wise given that the BMW is around $40 more? Does this go in the steering column somewhere?

  11. #11
    geargrinder's Avatar
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    Could be a failed starter for sure. Or an ig switch.

    A pro next step would be to put a meter on the starter turn-on wire and see if its getting solid voltage. If it is then the 'iggy switchy' is probably OK.

    Reading codes wouldn't be terrible idea if you can do that easily. Just in case its something else like EWS.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  12. #12
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    It's easy to replace the iggy switch, other than the awkard angles you have to get into to reach it.
    It's just on the left side of the steering column, pretty much directly opposite of where you put your key in (opposite side of the steering column).
    Here's a great write up with pictures:
    http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/244045

    Since you steering wheel moved in your test, 99.9% it's your iggy switch.
    Since it's an electrical part, I would use a BMW part (just my $.02).

    PS - if you read the second line in my post, I did say it was the electronic ignition switch........BAZZINGA!!
    <== Steptronic Sealbeach740
    2000 740i sport: 74k Green/Tan chrome MPars, clear corners, quad brake lights, AIC hi-beams, Hoen fogs, 16x9 screen, MKIV, TFT LCD screen in back, license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, iPod audio/video (CDC/iPod audio switching, iPod video on 16x9 screen), Basslink, gauge rings, ///M pedals, switched steptronic +/- shifting mode, E46 paddle shifter steering wheel, Dinan engine & tranny software upgrade, DDEs controlled via Euro fog light switch, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, windows up/sunroof close via remote.

    2003 540i sport: 81k, Sterling grey/grey, MKIV Nav, PDC & CWP - Added license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, paddle shift steering wheel, windows up/sunroof close via remote, Akebono's, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, quad brake lights, iPod audio via AUX mode/video via 16x9 screen, BMW TV tuner, ///M pedals & gauge rings.

  13. #13
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    Oh my lord, don't abbreviate ignition switch to iggy switch! You can't dump that into google. But yeah I agree. Replace it.

  14. #14
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    Homerraas (youtube handle/name) has an excellent video DIY on how to replace the ignition switch. Just type "Homerraas bmw signs of a failing ignition switch" into the youtube search field...and yes...there are two "Rs" and two "As"...the guy is Dutch.

    BTW...do you have a second key? If so, try it to see if the issue carries over to the 2nd key. If it doesn't, you may have an EWS transponder (in the key) issue. BTW, all keys (remote & non-remote) have an EWS transponder in them.
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 11-13-2017 at 12:55 PM.
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  15. #15
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    Lol at "iggy switch".



  16. #16
    JimLev's Avatar
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    I prefer ign switch, however if you want iggy I've summond Iggy Pop to assist you in "popping" that switch out.

    http://www.contactmusic.com/iggy-pop/pictures

  17. #17
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    Iggy Australia (sp? ha!) is cuter than Iggy Pop. But she is probably more than halfway down the path to forgotten already.

    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    I prefer ign switch, however if you want iggy I've summond Iggy Pop to assist you in "popping" that switch out.

    http://www.contactmusic.com/iggy-pop/pictures

  18. #18
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    You guys are too funny!
    From what I recall, it's been called an "iggy switch" since I got my 740 in 2002.
    Of course, I've called it different things since I've had to replace mine 3 times (once was a bad part from the get-go), so it's really only given me issues twice in 15 years!
    <== Steptronic Sealbeach740
    2000 740i sport: 74k Green/Tan chrome MPars, clear corners, quad brake lights, AIC hi-beams, Hoen fogs, 16x9 screen, MKIV, TFT LCD screen in back, license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, iPod audio/video (CDC/iPod audio switching, iPod video on 16x9 screen), Basslink, gauge rings, ///M pedals, switched steptronic +/- shifting mode, E46 paddle shifter steering wheel, Dinan engine & tranny software upgrade, DDEs controlled via Euro fog light switch, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, windows up/sunroof close via remote.

    2003 540i sport: 81k, Sterling grey/grey, MKIV Nav, PDC & CWP - Added license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, paddle shift steering wheel, windows up/sunroof close via remote, Akebono's, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, quad brake lights, iPod audio via AUX mode/video via 16x9 screen, BMW TV tuner, ///M pedals & gauge rings.

  19. #19
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    Never heard, read, said, typed in "iggy" switch ever before until now.



  20. #20
    geargrinder's Avatar
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    Yeah. I've seen it before but you'll never catch me saying "iggy". Ignition. But hey - call it what you like.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  21. #21
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    I hear "Iggy" and I think of Louie DePalma calling for Jim Ignatowski in his Taxi.
    Ed CT
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  22. #22
    JimLev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ed CT View Post
    I hear "Iggy" and I think of Louie DePalma calling for Jim Ignatowski in his Taxi.
    DiVitoski to the rescue....after a quick stop at Blackies for one of those famous dogs for lunch.

  23. #23
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    I did a quick search & found "iggy switch" going back to 2006.....

    http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/244051/

    So that little nick name has been around for at least over 11 years!
    Last edited by sealbeach740; 11-14-2017 at 04:35 PM.
    <== Steptronic Sealbeach740
    2000 740i sport: 74k Green/Tan chrome MPars, clear corners, quad brake lights, AIC hi-beams, Hoen fogs, 16x9 screen, MKIV, TFT LCD screen in back, license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, iPod audio/video (CDC/iPod audio switching, iPod video on 16x9 screen), Basslink, gauge rings, ///M pedals, switched steptronic +/- shifting mode, E46 paddle shifter steering wheel, Dinan engine & tranny software upgrade, DDEs controlled via Euro fog light switch, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, windows up/sunroof close via remote.

    2003 540i sport: 81k, Sterling grey/grey, MKIV Nav, PDC & CWP - Added license plate backup camera with "on demand" switch, paddle shift steering wheel, windows up/sunroof close via remote, Akebono's, painted calipers with "BMW" lettering, quad brake lights, iPod audio via AUX mode/video via 16x9 screen, BMW TV tuner, ///M pedals & gauge rings.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by JimLev View Post
    DiVitoski to the rescue....after a quick stop at Blackies for one of those famous dogs for lunch.
    And don't forget the famous Blackie's relish!
    Ed CT
    1998 528i
    5-Speed
    Aspen Silver
    Aubergine Leather

  25. #25
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    Well SealBeach740, you win the prize. Replacing the "Iggy switch" fixed the problem. Thanks for helping and pointing out the web page that had some instructions.

    Derek

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