[Bshely26]

So about 8-10 or so months ago maybe a little longer. I remember the problem started when it was cold outside.

The issue: When I hit the start button on my car it can take anywhere from one to twenty or more presses on the start button before it finally starts up. You hear the starter click, but nothing happens. Sometimes it will start on the first push, sometimes after I get off a 12 hour shift it can take 15+ tries. I originally thought it was the battery going bad, because I could hook it up the the charger and it would start on the first push of the button. I had it on the charger probably 6 different times and it would always start first push. Ended up getting the battery, starter and alternator checked at a auto parts store. They all checked out, but I got a new battery with warranty anyways. The battery did not fix it. Then I took it to BMW and they said it was a k+can issue which they said was due to the JB4 tuner. I finally got around to taking it off today. The issue is still there. No improvement. I replaced the key fob battery thinking it might be going bad and the cars not charging it and would not recognize it. Dumb thought though cause it recognized it enough to try to start. So I'm running out of ideas. Thanks for any input.

Solution: It was the starter. I opened up the end of the starter and there were metal shavings everywhere. I also noticed the drive pinion gear could move freely. I don't think that is normal, as the new one was firmly held in place. Thanks for all the help guys!

[Miller335]

Starter is probably going bad.

[Velocity26]

^ +1

If you press the button and the car does not start, find a piece of PVC pipe or wood, press it against the starter body and tap with a small hammer or heavy object. It will rattle the brush contact and it will start. Mine went bad at less than 50k miles. Not fun to replace because of where it is located.

[Gohan335i7]

Hmmm

[Bshely26]

Thanks guys. That was what I'm leaning towards. So I've already taken it apart and now waiting for parts to arrive. I decided to do the walnut blasting as well with the intake off. Order the parts for that too. I am glad I did. It's pretty bad. The pics are from cylinder two and three. I scraped some of the funk off that's why there is so much on top of the valves.

[Gohan335i7]

Jeeze! How long ago did you get a walnut blast done?! That is gunked up!!

[Velocity26]

I had mine done in conjunction with a walnut blast, so the labor on the starter was a lot less, but I think that the starter can be pulled and replaced without removing the intake manifold. May take some special tools, but it can be done.

[Bshely26]

Originally Posted by Gohan335i7

Jeeze! How long ago did you get a walnut blast done?! That is gunked up!!

I don't think it has ever been done. Car has 82k on it.

[Bshely26]

Originally Posted by Velocity26

I had mine done in conjunction with a walnut blast, so the labor on the starter was a lot less, but I think that the starter can be pulled and replaced without removing the intake manifold. May take some special tools, but it can be done.

I'm doing it myself and there is absolutely no way to do it without removing the manifold.

[Velocity26]

I read through several DIY's of how to do the HPFP, and they all removed the intake. I did it in far less time without removing the intake. Also did the LPFP pressure sensor while I was in there.

My mechanic said he does the starter without pulling the intake, but he may use some tools that are not common or were modified for the job.

[Bshely26]

So I've taken everything off except the rear starter bolt. I cannot for the life of me get the right angle on it. Any tips?

[Bshely26]

I figured out the "trick" to getting the starter off! Check it out

https://s13.postimg.org/gu3yc59hj/image.jpg

https://s13.postimg.org/mjk6wgfnr/image.jpg

[Bshely26]

Originally Posted by Miller335

Starter is probably going bad.

Thanks for making me finally realize it was the starter. Deep down I knew it all along. I had hoped it would be a more easy fix. It was not all that bad though. Nowhere near as bad as putting LT headers on my 2011 5.0. That was a JOB

[parksjm7]

Originally Posted by Bshely26

I figured out the "trick" to getting the starter off! Check it out

https://s13.postimg.org/gu3yc59hj/image.jpg

https://s13.postimg.org/mjk6wgfnr/image.jpg

sorry, what was the trick? the bent ratchet?

[Delta0311]

Same exact problem happened to me. Although also I had a dead battery. Started last Monday. Car ran fine when battery was replaced. Then Sunday it took me 30 tries at one point to get it to finally crank. All you heard was a click coming from the starter area and then nothing. Monday I dropped it of at my Indy shop cause my mechanic buddy is overseas. When I dropped it off it fired up at every try but we still faulted the starter. I had two error codes (shadow codes)
A0C1
A0B4

[Delta0311]

FYI,
If you been skipping leg day you will have some fun with this one.. You are in for a treat...
Get ready for a leg workout.
brake
Start
brake
start
brake
start
Repeat that like 30-50 times before you car finally fires up.

[DailyN54]

Crazy, this just happened to me yesterday. I went for a drive in the morning. The car would take about 10 seconds on cranking to finally turn on. I was thinking it was the e85 doing that. Came back home was about to head to the gym and the car would not even turn over. Tried to jump it no luck. Towed it to my shop. Found out that the starter went bad along with my battery. New starter and battery going in the morning.

[Bshely26]

Originally Posted by parksjm7

sorry, what was the trick? the bent ratchet?

Nope. Drilling down through the bolt. The bolt head ended up getting stripped and I figured you get a new bolt and I'm putting on a new starter. So screw it.