[VFitzyR]

I checked the battery and fuses. All good. I ran an extra ground to the engine in case it was a bad ground. No luck. When I press the start button I could hear the throttle body do its thing, but no sound from the starter solenoid. I checked the voltage to the positive post and the activator lead of starter solenoid. Good. So, that pointed to the starter. 3 hours to get the intake manifold out without breaking anything (first time doing it). Replaced the starter and it took 30 minutest to put it all back together. Hit the start button and it fired right up. Sounds like there are a few reasons that could cause this symptom. Mine happened to be the starter. But what I can't figure out is why did it happen while sitting at the airport for 5 days? Thanks for all the help!

[SaNGRia]

Did you figure it out what was the problem?

Originally Posted by farnsee

I had an issue like this. I stopped the car at the store. I was in and out in 10 min. The car would not start. All lights and everything inside worked but wouldn’t start. Of course it was --15 F ...A boost did nothing. I left the car. Came back a day later with a battery. No help. I came back next day still sub zero, removed engine cowl and hit started motor with a bar. . No help. Towed it home thinking it was the starter. Removed the started and it worked fine. Turned out the car had lost ground to the engine. There is a braided cable on the rear left side of the engine that goes to the frame below the drivers feet that had rotted out.

If you check with a booster cable from the engine to the ground post in the engine bay and it sparks you have a ground problem.
By the way after I reinstalled the starter, intake manifold and related equipment I had Codes. Crank sensor, DSC, Trans in third gear only, and limp mode . Turned out I cut a ty rap holding the cable to the crank sensor plug tight and It fell off the sensor. New ty rap and everything cleared .

[g9sBMW]

having similar issues guys, battery tested at 12.12V, all lights come on. Car will not start even with jumper cables or booster pack.

Where is this grounding strap people are talking about? driver side/ passenger side. Any Pics?

[Tiago@VRSF]

Any lights showing up on the dash?

[g9sBMW]

Yes the regular dashboards lights come on as normal, radio works, windows work

Scanned with OBDCOM software and scanner, no error codes.

AAA did a test of batter and it was at 12.12 V

Is this the ground strap? Visible after removing air intake?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...0&d=1451866866


Also ran BMWlogger ( with k+dcan) cable and it showed the following

Error Codes Present On Monday, March 14, 2016 7:03:07 PM

Code,Type,Description

DME,DME Number: 07587164
2ACB,1,DME master relay, activation
2A13,2,DMTL leak diagnosis pump, activation
2A12,2,DMTL solenoid valve, activation

[chepy24]

Originally Posted by g9sBMW

Yes the regular dashboards lights come on as normal, radio works, windows work

Scanned with OBDCOM software and scanner, no error codes.

AAA did a test of batter and it was at 12.12 V

Is this the ground strap? Visible after removing air intake?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...0&d=1451866866


Also ran BMWlogger ( with k+dcan) cable and it showed the following

Error Codes Present On Monday, March 14, 2016 7:03:07 PM

Code,Type,Description

DME,DME Number: 07587164
2ACB,1,DME master relay, activation
2A13,2,DMTL leak diagnosis pump, activation
2A12,2,DMTL solenoid valve, activation

Any word on this? Car left me stranded at the gym. Radio comes on and windows work fine. Just doesn't start

[Globoy]

Originally Posted by slopokdave

I drove my 07 335 last night out to eat. Go to leave and it won't start. No click. All accessories work.

At first I thought it was my key fob (with comfort access). It had been telling me the battery was low. I changed the battery out but still not working. Went and go my spare key w/o comfort access, same thing, not working.

I jumped the battery just in case but again everything works. I imagine its not the starter because I can't even get into accessory/ignition mode to put it in neutral.

1. I put key in. Car tells me key is in ignition. Radio comes on. odo/obc doesn't come on though
2. Push brake and start button, nothing happens and all accessories turn back off as if I wasn't even pushing the brake.

In the past 24hrs I've washed the car, including wiped down the engine bay; but it's ran fine the past day no trouble at all. I also hooked my Active meth kit back up (not injecting though), I had it disconnected for a bit because it was leaking. Only thing I reconnected was the pump turn on back by the battery and physically plug in the water line to the quick disconnect. Some water did spill out under the battery, but I soaked it up and vacuum it right away.

So it sounds electrical to me.... But I just don't know what unless something shorted? But doesn't make sense to me why it ran great for a day, all night, then poof just no crank, click, anything.

I am running JB4 and currently have the ECU disconnected to see if it will go to sleep/reset.

I feel like its still something with the key maybe too because it will tell me the key is either dead or faulty every 5-6 tries.

i've been having similar problems with my car, so far i've replaced the starter and battery but it still wont start, although i got it to start once by push starting it any suggestions?

[foreignmuscle]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

Any lights showing up on the dash?

Same thing going on with me. Put the key in slot and the yellow key symbol comes up and radio turns on, then when I press the start button for the dash board lights to come on it doesn't. It's weird because radio stays on and that yellow light stays on dash. Doesn't crank or nothing.

[Mr. Tasty]

Starter/starter solenoid is bad I bet. Recently happened to me last week. Replaced with Reman Bosch unit. Only took 2 hours.

[sonnydaze]

I have had similar issues to this, fixed it, and wanted to report back to this
thread in case it helps anyone.

Starting was getting more sluggish, and eventually starter just would not
start. After a jump attempt and towing the car home, I check the battery
voltage. At 11.9, I assume bad battery and replace it. No go. After reading
some of the e90 posts, I tap the starter while "starting" to see if I can kick
the starter into action, but no go either. About to replace starter, but
decide to read more posts. This one pointed out the ground strap as a
potential failure, so I decide to investigate.

I recently replaced my clutch, noticed the engine ground strap was covered in
green (presumably copper oxide). I torqued the cable a little, got showered
with green, but decided to leave it alone. Recalling this with my current
issue, went back under, gave the ground strap a tug or two, and the cable
disintegrated and broke. Apparently, although the cable was not actually
broken, it was corroded and petrified enough to severly compromise its
electrical properties. So apparently not much of a ground on my engine.

Bottom line, I replaced that strap, and car fired right up. This was probably
also why my battery was low, since it was probably not charging properly with
a bad ground from the alternator. Likely a new battery for no reason, but the
old one had 10 years... But thanks to you all, I didn't replace a perfectly
good starter.

Lesson for me: Try connecting jumper cable from chassis to engine when car
won't start...

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by sonnydaze

I have had similar issues to this, fixed it, and wanted to report back to this
thread in case it helps anyone.

Starting was getting more sluggish, and eventually starter just would not
start. After a jump attempt and towing the car home, I check the battery
voltage. At 11.9, I assume bad battery and replace it. No go. After reading
some of the e90 posts, I tap the starter while "starting" to see if I can kick
the starter into action, but no go either. About to replace starter, but
decide to read more posts. This one pointed out the ground strap as a
potential failure, so I decide to investigate.

I recently replaced my clutch, noticed the engine ground strap was covered in
green (presumably copper oxide). I torqued the cable a little, got showered
with green, but decided to leave it alone. Recalling this with my current
issue, went back under, gave the ground strap a tug or two, and the cable
disintegrated and broke. Apparently, although the cable was not actually
broken, it was corroded and petrified enough to severly compromise its
electrical properties. So apparently not much of a ground on my engine.

Bottom line, I replaced that strap, and car fired right up. This was probably
also why my battery was low, since it was probably not charging properly with
a bad ground from the alternator. Likely a new battery for no reason, but the
old one had 10 years... But thanks to you all, I didn't replace a perfectly
good starter.

Lesson for me: Try connecting jumper cable from chassis to engine when car
won't start...

hi there thanks for sharing. My car did not start yesterday even when was jump started with tow truck. Hit starter and started only once. Tried again and nothing. Only clicks I hear. I haven't checked ground cable..

question... what do you mean by "connecting jumper cable from chassis to engine"? I connected RED positive to positive terminal in front of car and the negative to chassis or ground connector where all the ground cables are connected and nothing. should i try connecting negative to engine block?

[Levanime]

Yes

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by Levanime

Yes

I will try that later.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by Levanime

Yes

Did this happen to you too?

[Makeuwunder]

I've had this happen on all three of my cars. Drove somewhere came back out and car would not start. Ended up being the starter on all three cars. Had no warning what so ever on either car. So I've gotten pretty proficient on removing the intakes.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by Makeuwunder

I've had this happen on all three of my cars. Drove somewhere came back out and car would not start. Ended up being the starter on all three cars. Had no warning what so ever on either car. So I've gotten pretty proficient on removing the intakes.

Dont tell me that... lol will definitely check ground cables before I buy the bullet on a new starter... I will try jump starting the car using engine block like mentioned on link below...


http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40388

[dyezak]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Dont tell me that... lol will definitely check ground cables before I buy the bullet on a new starter... I will try jump starting the car using engine block like mentioned on link below...


http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40388

A new starter is only $170, and it is super easy to get to. Don't frett.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by dyezak

A new starter is only $170, and it is super easy to get to. Don't frett.

You are probably right. I just dont have the tools.

I am getting a quote today from a tech who changed my water pump few years ago. Hes decent in price. I already removed the cabin filter plastic piece to be able to hit starter yesterday but no go. Did not start. I smelled burned by starter so I am sure is toast. I will also go and talk to my buddy another tech. he is a frien of mine who works at the BMW dealer and ask if he can help me. he will charge less if I we both do it. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks for the input peeps!

[limitdown]

I had this problem 2yrs ago. For me, it was a dead starter.
Absolutely no warning whatsoever. Crank was perfect 1hr before.

[smoOve]

I'm having the same issue right now. Last week I had the mechanic shop change my intake manifold. And today I went to go start my car and it didn't start. Same malfunctions everything turns on but the car. I tried both keys and changed the batteries and still nothing. I'm thinking it's probably the starter as everyone is stating. Or maybe they messed with the starter and forgot to tighten something after doing it.. I know they un did my battery to do everything. Where should I start?

[dyezak]

Originally Posted by smoOve

I'm having the same issue right now. Last week I had the mechanic shop change my intake manifold. And today I went to go start my car and it didn't start. Same malfunctions everything turns on but the car. I tried both keys and changed the batteries and still nothing. I'm thinking it's probably the starter as everyone is stating. Or maybe they messed with the starter and forgot to tighten something after doing it.. I know they un did my battery to do everything. Where should I start?

Where do you start? Well, the starter gets you started.

Just put a cheap multimeter on the starter sylinoid while starting and see if there is continuity. In other words use a $5 RadioShack multimeter to test the starter. Tons of generic vids on YouTube for this.

[Just4Zion]

I drove the car all day Wednesday and Thursday I leave for work and the car won’t start. I put my foot on the brake and press the button it only makes a clicking noise. I need help. Any ideas as to what this could be?