Member
My friend's 740i won't start after the battery died over the winter. We charged the battery and it is now fully charged. The starter doesn't attempt to spin, no clicks or anything. Any ideas?
Haynes740
Was the key in the ignition?Originally Posted by Cosmic E38
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2001 740iL Guides,chains,vanos done. Full steptronic retrofit,3:15 diff. DUDMD tune. Sport seat retrofit. Porn lights
[IMG][/IMG]
Nitto ZR 285/40/18 rear 245/45/18 fr. UUC springs front. Porn lights. Sport wheel
1991 735iL UUC springs front only Style 42 wheels
Member
My guess it's the electronic ignition switch, as long as you're SURE the battery is now good.
<== 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.
Member
The battery is probably still the problem, most likely a dead cell - ESPECIALLY if it was connected to the car that long without being run. These cars have to be driven, otherwise disconnect the battery for longterm storage. Also, if the key does not open or unlock the car with the remote, it may have lost sync, or the key could be dead itself and need a new battery and then re-sync.
If you are convinced the battery is OK...try to tap on the starter with a hammer/mallet.
2001 | DINAN 7 Sport | S62 Swapped 6-Speed
DINAN Springs & Exhaust | 750 Brakes | M-Pars | Monsoons | NBT Nav/Radio
Dual Pane Glass | Black & Sand Int.
2001 | 750iL | AlpineWeiss III
@scotthduke on Instagram
Member
If the vehicle sat all winter...the battery is probably damaged beyond repair. You may have charged it...but if it was deeply discharged...it could still fail under the load of starting the vehicle. You can take the battery in for a "load test" at any Batteries Plus/Autozone/Advanced Auto/O'Reilly's type of vendor for free. Again, you may have charged the battery...but if it was damaged due to deep discharge...it may fall (like Hillary Clinton in India) when asked to start the vehicle.
If you have another vehicle...try connecting jumper cables to the neg/pos terminals IN THE ENGINE BAY...let the donor car run for a good 5 minutes...then attempt to start your car. If it starts...then you know that the battery is toast...the deep discharge has killed the battery....or as mentioned above...take it in for a load test.
Last edited by Qsilver7; 03-19-2018 at 11:29 AM.
Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.
2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)
Member
Its not the battery. I believe it is a key sync issue.
- - - Updated - - -
The starter was also rebuilt. I will check voltage at the starter if the weather gets over 30 degrees here.
Member
Does he have another key? If so, try the other key...if it works...then you'll know definitely that the previous no start issue is directly related to the previous key...and not related to something on the "car's" side of things. BTW, a dead battery inside the key has NOTHING to do with it's ability to start the car. So don't waste money on buying a new battery for the key if it turns out to be a key issue.
Take note of the WORKSHOP HINT on the bottom right in key info below:
Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.
2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)
Member
Unfortunately, he only has one key. It is the key with the led light on it, not the key fob with unlock buttons.
Member
This. Yes or no?
Member
The key was not in the ignition when the car was sitting and the battery died.
Member
Battery
Member
I had the same problem in my 2001 740i. My car would not start up. No sound, no clicks. It was not the battery as everyone around me told me. It was the shifter that wasn't being read correctly. In order for the car to start, the gear must be in Drive or Neutral. Sometimes the triptronic gear shifter gets old.
What worked for me is to start the ignition like I normally would, if the car does not start, leave the key in the ignition, then shift your gear to anything other then drive and then put it back into drive, then try to start your engine. This trick has worked for me. Let me know how it goes
Member
If it would be an DME-EWS sync problem then it would crank but not start. It's possible the EWS module(or the small relay inside) have failed, then it would not even crank. Try to hit the EWS module lightly with something hard, if it starts then the relay inside is the problem. Reading fault codes would help.
BMW 320d Touring e91 -06 ----- BMW 740iA "ALPINA" e38 -00
Audi UrS4 Avant 2.2T Twincharged @624hp/737Nm -93 ----- Audi 80q B4 2.2T @500hp/620Nm -92
Member
My issues started with a dead battery in winter. so it sat, until spring, and a new battery, nothing- The day before I had it towed to the shop, I found my second key and did as jwbae suggested- started right up! No more just sittin around for us- Thanks!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks