[BigTex420]

Good evening users,

This is my first post -- I recently bought this vehicle and waited YEARS to pull the trigger on an e90 6MT. In my opinion this is the MOST reliable modern age BMW you can buy.

As I was leaving work this evening I put the key into the ignition and attempted to start the car like normal. The car seemed like it tried to start but did not turn over and I assumed it was a dead battery caused by the cold weather.

When I returned with a new battery I hesitated to put it in and instead tried the ultra bright angel eye lights and high beams and door locks, radio etc -- all seemed to be working so I thought maybe it wasnt the battery and I put my key in the ignition to attempt to start the car again.

This time it sounded like the car turned over and I even saw the RPMs just up to around 1.5k and then the car immediately died and never made it to idle. After this happened I smelled a burning smell from the engine bay - I popped the hood - no smoke.


At this point I just gave up and did not try to install a battery for fear this was not the issue.

Not sure what could be causing the issue...Much respect to you - the current users - I hope I will be able to contribute to this forum the same way you have.

[patents]

Starters are a known common problem with these cars. Often a failing starter will act like a dying battery. But it sounds like your car may have actually fired, so I'm not positive about the starter. Maybe the starter failed to turn right at the moment the engine started to fire, but didn't quite get enough revolution to continue combustion. And what you smelled may have been excess fuel that started to burn but since the engine died it didn't complete combustion.

Often a failing starter will store error codes. Get a code reader (such as Carly) that can read BMW-specific codes (not just an OBDII reader, it won't access the codes).

A dying starter can have different symptoms, but usually it just turns slower - like a dying battery. It may be worse in the winter, since the cold will slightly decrease the starting amps of the battery, and a failing starter gets even worse without the extra boost.

If the car is still having trouble starting, try the battery. But keep in mind that still doesn't rule out a bad starter, and it doesn't mean your battery is bad. A new battery can give a little extra boost to revive the dying starter.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by BigTex420

Good evening users,

This is my first post -- I recently bought this vehicle and waited YEARS to pull the trigger on an e90 6MT. In my opinion this is the MOST reliable modern age BMW you can buy.

As I was leaving work this evening I put the key into the ignition and attempted to start the car like normal. The car seemed like it tried to start but did not turn over and I assumed it was a dead battery caused by the cold weather.

When I returned with a new battery I hesitated to put it in and instead tried the ultra bright angel eye lights and high beams and door locks, radio etc -- all seemed to be working so I thought maybe it wasnt the battery and I put my key in the ignition to attempt to start the car again.

This time it sounded like the car turned over and I even saw the RPMs just up to around 1.5k and then the car immediately died and never made it to idle. After this happened I smelled a burning smell from the engine bay - I popped the hood - no smoke.


At this point I just gave up and did not try to install a battery for fear this was not the issue.

Not sure what could be causing the issue...Much respect to you - the current users - I hope I will be able to contribute to this forum the same way you have.

You can start by taking your old battery to your local Auto store and have them do a load test. They should do it for free. If they test the battery and is good then you move to your starter. Remember that even though your lights, door locks still work it does not necessarily means the battery is good. The power that your engine requites to start is much bigger than the lights in your car.

Also tap your starter from top of the hood with a stick or something, at the same time have someone push that start button and see if your car starts this way.

Read the codes if you have a way to do it...

[Chriztofor]

What codes are being thrown? Either goto Autozone and have them check it for free or buy a peake research tool, see my sig.

[BigTex420]

Ok I had the car towed to my shop and they determined the cause was (allegedly) the VANOS solenoid went bad. They gave it another name like "actuator" -- I will post my detailed findings tomorrow.

I appreciate the help and tips. Noted. Buying a scanner tool next.