Z4 3.0si Won't Start

Aries326 · 05-26-2015, 02:00 PM

Weirdest thing happened this AM. My Z wouldn't start. It won't even turn over. The battery is working since the lights come on. Anything I should do before I call a tow truck?

Twixboy · 05-26-2015, 02:48 PM

The battery could have enough juice to turn on the lights, but not turn over right? I'd take out the battery and have it tested at your local auto parts store.

Aries326 · 05-26-2015, 08:25 PM

I tried jumping it. All I hear are loud clicks and lights are flashing like the starter is working but no juice getting in to ignite.

Huz-Z · 05-27-2015, 06:53 AM

I cured this problem once with a buddy's portable battery pack to start the car after winter storage where the guy who had the car in his facility let the battery go flat. (I now have my own garage so that's a thing of the past).

But if you tried to jumpstart the car and that did not work, I'm stumped. Have you tried leaving the battery in the car and connecting it to a BMW battery tender overnight?

Daemonblitz · 05-27-2015, 09:15 AM

My guess is a VERY dead battery.

jeebus87 · 05-27-2015, 12:26 PM

Ignition switch or starter. Same thing happened to me. Turned out to be the ignition switch the first time, starter the second time.

Aries326 · 05-27-2015, 03:06 PM

I'll put it on the tender and see what happens.

Aries326 · 05-27-2015, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeebus87

Ignition switch or starter. Same thing happened to me. Turned out to be the ignition switch the first time, starter the second time.

This is what I'm afraid of.

jeebus87 · 05-27-2015, 06:00 PM

You can replace the ignition switch very easily on your own. There's a DIY available in the DIY section here. It'll cost you about 75 bucks from the dealer, or you can get a used one off ebay for a 1/3 of that.

The starter is more of a difficult job. I had mine done at the shop.

Aries326 · 05-29-2015, 07:38 PM

Thankfully it was only the battery. Swapped it out today. Does it really need to be taken to the dealer to have the computer programmed to the new battery?

dreamingat30fps · 05-29-2015, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aries326

Thankfully it was only the battery. Swapped it out today. Does it really need to be taken to the dealer to have the computer programmed to the new battery?

No I have changed mine a couple times never taken it anywhere and never had any issues. At least on the M I would think its the same on the si.

jeebus87 · 05-29-2015, 07:51 PM

Good to hear. No need to program the new battery. I didn't and haven't had any issues.

05-26-2015, 02:00 PM	#1
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	Z4 3.0si Won't Start Weirdest thing happened this AM. My Z wouldn't start. It won't even turn over. The battery is working since the lights come on. Anything I should do before I call a tow truck? __________________
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05-26-2015, 02:48 PM	#2
Twixboy Captain 124 Rep 904 Posts Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i 6spd Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MA iTrader: (2)	The battery could have enough juice to turn on the lights, but not turn over right? I'd take out the battery and have it tested at your local auto parts store.
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05-26-2015, 08:25 PM	#3
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	I tried jumping it. All I hear are loud clicks and lights are flashing like the starter is working but no juice getting in to ignite. __________________
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05-27-2015, 06:53 AM	#4
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I cured this problem once with a buddy's portable battery pack to start the car after winter storage where the guy who had the car in his facility let the battery go flat. (I now have my own garage so that's a thing of the past). But if you tried to jumpstart the car and that did not work, I'm stumped. Have you tried leaving the battery in the car and connecting it to a BMW battery tender overnight? __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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05-27-2015, 09:15 AM	#5
Daemonblitz Commander 221 Rep 850 Posts Drives: Z4MC/M5/640iX/M1000RR Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Aurora, ON, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 BMW M5 [9.50] 2006 Z4M Coupe [8.77] 2010 BMW S1000RR [10.00]	My guess is a VERY dead battery.
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05-27-2015, 12:26 PM	#6
jeebus87 Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 292 Posts Drives: '11 atacama yellow Z4 35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (4)	Ignition switch or starter. Same thing happened to me. Turned out to be the ignition switch the first time, starter the second time.
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05-27-2015, 03:06 PM	#7
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	I'll put it on the tender and see what happens. __________________
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05-27-2015, 06:00 PM	#9
jeebus87 Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 292 Posts Drives: '11 atacama yellow Z4 35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (4)	You can replace the ignition switch very easily on your own. There's a DIY available in the DIY section here. It'll cost you about 75 bucks from the dealer, or you can get a used one off ebay for a 1/3 of that. The starter is more of a difficult job. I had mine done at the shop.
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05-29-2015, 07:38 PM	#10
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	Thankfully it was only the battery. Swapped it out today. Does it really need to be taken to the dealer to have the computer programmed to the new battery? __________________
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05-29-2015, 07:51 PM	#12
jeebus87 Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 292 Posts Drives: '11 atacama yellow Z4 35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (4)	Good to hear. No need to program the new battery. I didn't and haven't had any issues.
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