I had the ews checked months ago and replaced the transponders in the keys and everything checked out. the car was running fine then I had a no crank issue, so I traced the problem to the ignition switch, replaced that, and it ran for a few days then back to the no start no crank.
Timm,
After several week of shitty weather, cold temps and being out of town, I finally got a break and replaced the starter after running a few tests on it. After a brief charge on the battery from sitting so long, she started right up. Thank you for the direction.
Dale
I have removed the starter and had it rebuilt, so effectively a new starter. I charged up the battery and the car started, test drove it and next day it fails to start. I removed the battery and charged it again at the auto store, then tested it and it produced 1000+ CCA, and 13.+ volts. After installation it yet fails to start. Could it be the starter adapter cable? Is there a way for me to test that?
dale
But a cheap multimeter and check the battery voltage when it fails to start - it might be a great battery but it sounds like it doesn't have any charge in it. Compare the voltage against the table below:
Last edited by Timm; 01-20-2019 at 04:03 PM.
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
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I went ahead and checked the voltage reading after it didn't start, and it read 12.14V...and according to your chart with outside temp being 40F battery is at 50% am I correct? I swapped it for the battery in my Mercedes and did not start, however it was a bit smaller battery and only put out 700CCA. So I will put it back on the charger and bring voltage up to 13+ V and see what happens, I fear the results may be the same.
Dale
I went ahead and recharged battery overnight again, 14V reading at start. No crank or start. ?? Any suggestions? Remove starter and check again, or jump the starter wire adapter direct from the plug part?
Dale
As the operation is so intermittent it still sounds like a starter problem - especially as it DID start when you replaced it initially. If you can get to the trigger wire then try sticking 12V up it.
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
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So the starter will engage with a direct 12V on the trigger wire. So I am guessing that the problem is somewhere between ignition and starter. I replaced the ignition switch less than 6 months ago and starter relay when all this trouble began. Intermittent is correct...perhaps a faulty ignition switch, any way to test that?
Well done for doing the test, it can be a bit fiddly! Yes, ignition switch is next in line, the BLACK/YELLOW wire from the ignition switch should show battery voltage when in START. How to get to the switch (and replace it if required) can be found here:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/244045
You can see the BLACK/YELLOW wire in this picture:
If you do see 12V on that wire in the START position and the starter does not operate then the problem is elsewhere
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
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Chase - Heroes to a generation
I pulled the ignition switch and ran a voltage test, 10.8V from Y/B wire at start, 11.4V from other wires, so I ruled out the ignition switch. I moved to the ECU box, I checked the relay while trying to start and no clicking could be heard, so pulled the starter relay and ran a test, it clicked when voltage was applied, so I ruled out faulty relay, until I decided to check the wiring to the relay. I saw some corrosion and I believe this might be the culprit. I had some spare parts (other relay and harnesses from a donor car) and made a new harness for the starter relay. Tomorrow I will install it and see what happens. I attached some pics.
IMAG0362.jpgIMAG0365.jpgIMAG0366.jpg
So still trying to solve this issue. I discovered the starter relay was not getting power. After several other troubleshooting I am more lost than before. I replaced the starter wire adapter with one from another car, no good. Rechecked all the fuses, but I found out the starter relay was not engaging, put a tester on it and wasn't getting power to the main lead. Do you know what supplies power to the relay? Perhaps I can start there, or if there is another fuse that I should be checking?
How many keys do you have? If you have more than one, try the other. If you only have one then when it doesn't crank take the key and tap it against the driveway and retry.
two keys,both refuse to crank it.
A couple more ideas....Have you tried to start it in neutral? Have you checked the brake switch?
One more idea, check the ground cable from the engine to the cradle, make sure its tight.
so i managed to get her started, I wasn't getting power to the starter relay, so I pulled the ECU out and found some corrosion in the 2nd harness from the left. I looked like antifreeze corrosion. I cleaned it out and gave her an overnight charge and started up the next morning. So, now I gotta figure out what caused that corrosion in there the first place.
It's wicking up from the thermostat to the ECU. Common problem and you'll need to replace the Thermostat to help solve or it'll happen again. Sounds like you're lucky you didn't fry the ECU.
'01 740i Sport MKIV, Quad Brake Lights, OEM Bi-Xenon retrofit, LED Angel Eyes, HID Fogs, LED Plate Lights, Dinan 7 certification, BM53 radio, OEM Sirius, Aux Input, TCU Bluetooth, Intravee II, iPod, Strong Strut, Dinan Struts, Springs, Camber Plates, Intake, MAF, CAI, Exhaust and Throttle Body
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Here's the info:
https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/BMW_M6...e_Problems.htm
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
My Current 840ci Sport Individual
My Current 650ci Sport Individual
My E31 Repair and Information Website
My E38 Repair and Information Website
My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website
Chase - Heroes to a generation
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