2000 740il No Start

[jimoreno]

Guys,I just started driving the car yesterday after doing the TCG's (and I have the check engine light on but that's another subject) and stopped this afternoon to get the new tires on the M-Pars that I picked up this weekend. So after the work is done the car doesn't start,I mean everything electrical works but not even a peep from the starter.I've read the ignition switch stories but none of them mentioned a sudden death. We connected the car to their charging/jump starter and same result. Nothing. The game even told me to get inside the car so he could lift it and tap the starter and nothing happened. Called AAA and got towed home.
The battery is brand new but I haven't checked voltages yet.
Any idea or is this an ignition switch issue?

[TheAngryBear]

It could be but there are plenty of places to investigate prior to that.
1) what was the CEL code?
2) are all the grounds and battery connections tight?
3) (you already are going to get this) battery voltage?
4) what else did you do during the TCG? CKS?
5) fuses?


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[jimoreno]

So I just pull the codes before taking the wife to physical therapy and it has 3 codes: P0021, P0120 and P0221. I forgot to mention that I got an "engine failsafe mode" on my way to the tire shop (not sure if it is related in any way). I'll check voltage when I get back home this afternoon but I tried again this morning and still nothing from the starter.
Checked the battery voltage and is 12.38 volts.

[TheAngryBear]

What are you reading the codes with? Just curious as there may be other codes not being seen based on scanner/reader.
P0021 is a timing issue, probably from the reassembly. Will have to retime but you are tracking.
P0120 and P0221 are the TB. Did you reset the adaptation on that? 30 secs in KP2 then completely off. When i did the TCG on the 540 I had same issues with TB until I did that. It shouldn’t stop the start though.
Battery is “low” but shouldn’t be cause of no start.
I would check grounds and voltage to starter. That may lead to ignition switch or something else.


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[jimoreno]

I'm using a Bluetooth scanner together with Torque lite application. I'll try the 30 seconds KP2 reset but I now remember that I saw a red light flash very briefly (almost too fast to see what it was) and looking at the owners manual I just realized is the battery light. I'll go back and re-check all the cable connections on the alternator and engine head cover which were the ones disturbed during the engine work.
I did notice that both times that I timed the engine the intake cam for bank 1 rotated clockwise just a bit after I removed the cam blocks. Is this not supposed to happen?

[TheAngryBear]

That cam does shift a bit (and takes shifting into place iirc). Just makes sure when turning over by hand that the motion on the crank is only forwards. There is some lash so if you overshoot don’t go back just go around again.


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[jimoreno]

That cam does shift a bit (and takes shifting into place iirc). Just makes sure when turning over by hand that the motion on the crank is only forwards. There is some lash so if you overshoot don’t go back just go around again.

That could be it. I think I remember that I overshoot and rotated back. Let me fix the no start issue first and then I'll tackle the re-timing. It might need to wait since I'll be closing the new house in less than 2 weeks and then between then and moving it will be new house work all weekends!

I forgot to tell you guys that I got my hands on a set staggered M-Par's and got them on (at least it looks great even though it doesn't start! LOL):

[jimoreno]

Just replaced the ignition switch and still nothing. Disconnected the battery to let it discharge and will track electrical diagram to follow. After re-connecting the battery no change. Realized to late that the starter relay is under the DME so I'll see if there's another one to swap for a test.
Edit:
I'm going to check the input to the EWS module tomorrow and see if there's power coming into it.

[jimoreno]

UPDATE: After reading some posts of the EWS system and the chip inside the key, I opened up my only key and realized that the chip is MISSING!!!!
I'll look inside the car since it started to get on the lift for the tire job and then it didn't to see if it is on the carpet. My key had the buttons damaged turned into some bubble gum like substance and I removed them (I'm waiting on an Ebay replacement).
Is my only option to buy a new key from the dealer?

[TheAngryBear]

UPDATE: After reading some posts of the EWS system and the chip inside the key, I opened up my only key and realized that the chip is MISSING!!!!
I'll look inside the car since it started to get on the lift for the tire job and then it didn't to see if it is on the carpet. My key had the buttons damaged turned into some bubble gum like substance and I removed them (I'm waiting on an Ebay replacement).
Is my only option to buy a new key from the dealer?

Likely.
There are a few key-smith’s that could read and make it for you but they might balk at having to read it from the EWS. Unless you have a valet key still hiding somewhere.
Or you could get a blank and attempt to code it yourself with the writers... apparently you can get them on eBay for a few hundred?


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[jimoreno]

I'm ordering a new key tomorrow from the local dealer. I only was given one when I bought it and it was in really bad shape. Maybe it's a good idea to also get a valet or wallet key

[TheAngryBear]

I'm ordering a new key tomorrow from the local dealer. I only was given one when I bought it and it was in really bad shape. Maybe it's a good idea to also get a valet or wallet key

Definitely good to have those low cost backups. Might consider multiples (wallets or valets, masters are expensive) if pricing and budget allow.


2001 750iL DD74441
Stock

RIP: 2003 540iA Sport GS56111
H&R front springs, Ultimate Cup Holder, Euro Dash & Armrest, Grom, BavSound Stage1

[clarkitect]

Mpars look good!

[jimoreno]

Another update: A new key didn't fix the no crank issue but I think I heard a click this morning. Had to remove the battery and take to Autozone and they found it at less than 35% so left it overnight for charging and got there at 7:35 (they open at 7:30) and installed it. I'll have to move the car today as the local sheriff already left me a "No parking" notification. I got my INPA cable and software on Saturday and did the diagnostic cap modification to be able to read everything from inside (just added a piece of wire between the 2 posts). I'll report what I find probably tomorrow.

I'll also check the 5 fuse box inside the E-box and see if there's something blown. I did notice water in the front passenger floor last week but my sunroof doesn't work either. I checked fuse 51 and it looks ok (will do continuity testing today) but haven't found if there is a relay for it. I'll start looking at removing the passenger seat to look at Fuse 114 (goes to EWS and starter).

[jimoreno]

Latest update:
Checked fuses under front passenger seat and they are all ok (nice and dry). Also checked fuses F26 and F44 (feed EWS) and they are ok (these tests were continuity tests with a multi-meter). Also checked the five fuses inisde the E-box and they are ok. Next on the list is verify power at the the starter relay and that it receives the signal from the ignition switch (even though is a new switch).

[Akash3230]

Have you tried to resync the ews it may have lost sync


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jimoreno]

Will the EWS out of sync create a "no crank" condition? I thought that it would crank but not start. I haven't been able to run INPA (got the cable during the weekend) but I'm having issues with it running correctly plus I've never used INPA before (did use Carsoft).

[acspecialists]

The EWS sync sounds like a good place to start. The EWS 3 has rolling codes and is buggy. If you don't get it to crank the rolling code is not reset and no matter how many more times you try it will not work. Because your chip was missing the gun may be smoking?

[Timm]

If the transponder was in range when the car was last started and then out of range when it was switched off you can be sure the EWS is out of sync!

[jimoreno]

Timm: Will this create a no-crank condition? That's probably what happened. I'm having issues on having a reliable version of INPA running in my laptop but I finally managed it to recognize the cable! What will I need to do? Is there an EWS tutorial somewhere that I can see/read?

[Timm]

Hopefully someone has done this using INPA as I haven't! You say you have used Carsoft - there is certainly the synchronisation routine on there....

[jimoreno]

Ok, got INPA running and communicating. Got into the EWS section but there is no reset function there so I went to the DME section and found this:


Then went into the "EWS Start Value Sync" menu by pressing Shift-F6 and got this screen in German:


And after translating the message right next to "Current Status DME-SG:" it reads: start value not understood, transmission error
Any ideas on what is this error and how to resolve it? I'm closing this next Tuesday on my new house and need this car running!! (can you feel the desperation creeping up?)

[racer2086]

First, check the DME connections in the E-box.

Then check the EWS connection under the dash.

Then try running F1 and F2 routines.

F1 translates to "transferred start value"
and
F2 translates to "reset start value"

[acspecialists]

If you are under the hood with the 20pin you can also go in to the EWS module. It will tell you if it is happy and if the key is good to go.

[georgebest]

Ok, got INPA running and communicating. Got into the EWS section but there is no reset function there so I went to the DME section and found this:


Then went into the "EWS Start Value Sync" menu by pressing Shift-F6 and got this screen in German:


And after translating the message right next to "Current Status DME-SG:" it reads: start value not understood, transmission error
Any ideas on what is this error and how to resolve it? I'm closing this next Tuesday on my new house and need this car running!! (can you feel the desperation creeping up?)

Have you pressed F1 & F2 here? I'm not sure what is the correct sequence but doing so solved my synch issue. I think it was F1 and then F2