Starter clicking sometimes.

[Bmwpower603]

Just purchased a 2001 740iL. 76k miles. And the car sometimes fails to start. And when it does fail to start, it makes a brief click. When it starts everything seems normal. . I did buy it from the dealership with a faulty/ non working navigation screen. Which I believe is common as well.

No airbag lights, and no abnormalities. Everything else works great!

Anyways. Is this a sign of a faulty starter? Or could this be ignition switch or the battery. The mechanic at the dealership said the starter was tested, and works every time when power was sent to it. So he thinks it’s a battery. But I’ve owned a couple e90s, and I know starters like to fail on those.

Is there anything I can do to diagnose this?

Thank you in advance!

[bluptgm3]

Ya. Check cold cranking amps and voltage drop. Look at electrolyte level in battery and add distilled water as required … look at date code on battery.
Clicking can also be a symptom of failing starter solenoid.


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[Timm]

What do you do to get it going when it just clicks?

Jump start - probably the battery
It starts on another attempt - probably the starter