2006 e90 no start diagnosis help

[leafsrule531]

Hey guys -

Needed some help from the experts here before I go ahead and spend the money on buying a new starter. I have no the classic no start issue … when I put the key and try to starts the car I hear the relay click and the lights on the dash go on but doesn’t start. Here are the diagnostic steps I took:


1. I fully charged the battery and tried to start it again with no luck.

2. Tried to jump start with no luck.

3. I tested the voltage at the front from terminal to the ground and I get about 12.5 volts

4. I also tested the voltage from the main terminal in the front to the oil filter housing thinking it might be a bad ground strap but I get about 12.5 volts there too.


Given that the battery is good and the ground strap seems to be getting enough voltage and my relays are clicking I’m assuming it has to be a bad starter ?

Is there any other way I can confirm this before I order the starter ?

Thanks for all your help!

[Old525i]

Remove the intake manifold, remove starter, then order it. Most likely, some hoses under the manifold will break and you will have to order those too. My starter lasted around 125,000 miles. Same symptoms.

[marvinstockman]

If you can whack the starter with a hammer, as, on a 2006, it is most likely worn starter brushes.

[XxGRYMMxX]

Do you have a volt meter or a power probe? If you look between the tube of the intake you'll see the starter. On the starter is a connector with a single white wire. I use a piece of sharpened coat hanger (metal obviously) to reach down to the wire, close to the connector and use that as your measuring point, try not a punch the wire all to hell. With your meter connected, have someone try to crank the engine. If you get power to that white wire, it means the ignition switch and the starter circuit are good and the starter is bad. If you don't get power you'll need to diag further, but try that first.

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk

[XxGRYMMxX]

If you can whack the starter with a hammer, as, on a 2006, it is most likely worn starter brushes.

Be careful giving bmw starters the thump, they're kinda fragile. I've replaced more than a few that got bumped to death.

Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk