About two months ago I went to start my 95 after driving around in town for awhile and it wouldn't crank. Battery is good, even tried jumping. Zero starter impulse. It was however a very hot day. I went back in the morning and it fired up fine and has given me no issues since.
Fast forward to today, it left me stranded in a parking lot. Again, zero starter impulse. I tried jumping and nothing. I unhooked the battery for about 10 minutes, still nothing. What are the first things I should try before I have it towed?
Dakar 95 M3 (4/95 manufacture)
Techno Violet 97 M3 (12/96 manufacture)
Alpine White 16 535i M-Sport (10/15 manufacture)
_________________________________
"I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence." -- A. Senna
Illegitimus Non Tatum Carborundum
Is the engine hot? Let it cool. If indeed it's heat soak causing the issue, you need a starter. In fact, it's highly likely you need a starter.
You can check the main engine ground, at the right-side engine mount, make sure it's clean and tight at both ends. Ditto for the B+ (jumpstart) terminal underhood, and the main bolt at the starter itself.
You can whack the starter with a pipe or prybar while someone's holding the key in start position. (If it starts, you need a starter)
You can use a test light to see if the small wire (activation terminal) at the starter is getting power when the key is turned to start. If so, and all the main primary hots and grounds are good, you need a starter.
You can always call a friend to push the car up to 2 mph or so, with the ignition in on position, and very quickly dump the clutch in second gear, then press it in quickly again. This is called "bump starting", so you don't have to call a tow truck....but it may require practice.
Chris Powell
Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
BMWCCA 274412
German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471
It was definitely hot, heat index was 107 today. I'm about to go try it again now that its been sitting a few hours.
Has anyone ever had a starter interlock relay go out?
starter interlock relay.JPG
Last edited by Casebrius; 08-13-2018 at 10:05 PM.
Dakar 95 M3 (4/95 manufacture)
Techno Violet 97 M3 (12/96 manufacture)
Alpine White 16 535i M-Sport (10/15 manufacture)
_________________________________
"I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence." -- A. Senna
Illegitimus Non Tatum Carborundum
Replaced fuse #46 which is one of the few that supplies the OBC. Oddly everything on the OBC appeared to be working. This car fired immediately.
Dakar 95 M3 (4/95 manufacture)
Techno Violet 97 M3 (12/96 manufacture)
Alpine White 16 535i M-Sport (10/15 manufacture)
_________________________________
"I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence." -- A. Senna
Illegitimus Non Tatum Carborundum
Fuse 46 also feeds the EWS. Be aware that a blown fuse is inconsistent with the fact that the problem happened before, unless you replaced that fuse before.
Chris Powell
Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
BMWCCA 274412
German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471
Sounds exactly like a friend's recent after failure. It started in the morning when everything was cold, then he had to bump start the car the rest of the day. He was on a cross country drive home after buying the car...
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