Car won't start... no idea why.

imz4n · 03-05-2010, 10:42 AM

+1 on the starter.

I can also help you with your key.

Do this.

Get in and close the door
Put the key in, turn it to Position 2 (second click, just before start position)
Pull the key out within 5 seconds
Press and hold the UNlock button while pressing the LOCK button 3 times.

Your locks should cycle down and up. If not, try it again, maybe a couple of times, sometimes it takes a few tries.

AWM3 · 03-06-2010, 04:58 AM

You might want to remove the starter and have it checked at an auto parts store before you order a new one, or at least make sure you can return the part if it turns out that's not the problem. I believe there may be other electrical faults that could prevent the starter from being activated.

smidley · 03-06-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car62

You might want to remove the starter and have it checked at an auto parts store before you order a new one, or at least make sure you can return the part if it turns out that's not the problem. I believe there may be other electrical faults that could prevent the starter from being activated.

Any idea what auto store would be able to test something like this?

WhoU4 · 03-06-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smidley

Any idea what auto store would be able to test something like this?

I believe you have O'reilly's out in Oregon... They can test electrical components. Would guess NAPA could also.

smidley · 03-07-2010, 12:32 PM

Yea I called and Autozone can do it. I'm taking it in today to get tested. Regardless of if it's my problem or not, I'm going to post a guide on replacing it. I've been taking pictures of my process along the way. I got the starter and solenoid switch out last night.

smidley · 03-07-2010, 06:40 PM

Well I got the starter and solenoid tested and they checked out fine. So now I'm really stumped and don't know what to check next. Going to put the starter back in the car tonight or tomorrow and see what happens when I try it again. I'll try putting a multimeter on the starter when the key is turned to see if the power is even making it that far.

chickdr · 03-07-2010, 07:25 PM

Sounds like you need to have the key checked. I think they have a charging station at the dealer(at least it looks like one which my SA puts my key in when I take the car in). You may need a new key - which won't be cheap...

crumb · 03-07-2010, 11:36 PM

It took me at least 15 or 20 minutes to jump mine today. Maybe try again!?

Z4RIDER · 03-08-2010, 08:40 PM

Same thing happened to my '03 Z4. After several tries to jump start I realized that it was the starter. I had it replaced 3 weeks ago. Everything has been fine since.

smidley · 03-08-2010, 10:20 PM

Well I'm pretty sure I'm magical. I just got done putting the starter back in and the car fired up just fine. My plan was to hook it back up and then use a multimeter to see if current was even getting as far as the starter. But it just decided to work on it's own.

Maybe it just needed to be smacked around a bit? I donno. Perhaps when it fired up on the bench test it fixed itself? Maybe some connection was a bit loose? (although they all seemed tight when I disconnected everything.) Who knows.

In any case, thank you all very much for your help and advice! I'll be posting a replacement DIY probably sometime tonight for the starter even though I just put my old one back in.

WhoU4 · 03-08-2010, 10:25 PM

Glad to hear its working, and also that you didn't give up!

smidley · 03-08-2010, 11:28 PM

Guide posted here.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359809

lnc2bldr · 03-09-2010, 09:48 AM

Sounds like you might have a bad spot on the commutator that isn't passing electricity. After the starter was removed it could have rotated off the area that wasn't conducting. Don't be surprised if it happens again.
Robert

chickdr · 03-09-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lnc2bldr

Sounds like you might have a bad spot on the commutator that isn't passing electricity. After the starter was removed it could have rotated off the area that wasn't conducting. Don't be surprised if it happens again.
Robert

I was going to say the same thing. It seems others have reported the same symptoms when their starter was on the way out.

Graham M · 03-10-2010, 11:30 AM

You probably had a loose wire. It may be internal, so next time this happens again, just replace it. It would really suck if you took your car out for a long spin and this happened again in some remote location.

smidley · 03-26-2010, 12:52 PM

Well, the starter finally went out again today. So it looks like I'll finally have to bite the bullet and buy a new one.

I actually took a wrench and banged on the starter a couple of times and got it to start up... barely... it made a sound like it wasn't going to work and then finally did, but it wouldn't start again after that.

chickdr · 03-26-2010, 02:36 PM

You should go with the autohauz starter licked on page 1. $140 is hard to beat...

You should be able to swap the new one in quickly since you are familiar with the process

smidley · 03-26-2010, 05:36 PM

Yea, I actually found one locally for 160$ It's Endurance brand I guess. I was going to go with the Autohauz one, but this one doesn't require shipping and I can get it today.

smidley · 03-27-2010, 08:42 PM

Got the new one put in and it's working great again. Hopefully this one lasts!

chickdr · 03-27-2010, 11:55 PM

Well, even if this is a part which fails periodically, its only $160 and you can fix it yourself. Pretty cheap for a BMW really...

03-05-2010, 10:42 AM	#23
imz4n Captain 57 Rep 822 Posts Drives: 2006 3,0 si TITANIUM SIlVER Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County Ca. iTrader: (0)	+1 on the starter. I can also help you with your key. Do this. Get in and close the door Put the key in, turn it to Position 2 (second click, just before start position) Pull the key out within 5 seconds Press and hold the UNlock button while pressing the LOCK button 3 times. Your locks should cycle down and up. If not, try it again, maybe a couple of times, sometimes it takes a few tries. __________________ SoCal Z Enthusiast contact me to get on the list. Events for like minded people and when you talk about your Z, we will know what you are saying. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ZSCCACalifornia/
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03-06-2010, 04:58 AM	#24
AWM3 BMW Fan 11 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3, Alpine White Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Georgia, USA iTrader: (0)	You might want to remove the starter and have it checked at an auto parts store before you order a new one, or at least make sure you can return the part if it turns out that's not the problem. I believe there may be other electrical faults that could prevent the starter from being activated.
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03-07-2010, 12:32 PM	#27
smidley Private First Class 24 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Yea I called and Autozone can do it. I'm taking it in today to get tested. Regardless of if it's my problem or not, I'm going to post a guide on replacing it. I've been taking pictures of my process along the way. I got the starter and solenoid switch out last night.
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03-07-2010, 06:40 PM	#28
smidley Private First Class 24 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Well I got the starter and solenoid tested and they checked out fine. So now I'm really stumped and don't know what to check next. Going to put the starter back in the car tonight or tomorrow and see what happens when I try it again. I'll try putting a multimeter on the starter when the key is turned to see if the power is even making it that far.
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03-07-2010, 07:25 PM	#29
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you need to have the key checked. I think they have a charging station at the dealer(at least it looks like one which my SA puts my key in when I take the car in). You may need a new key - which won't be cheap...
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03-07-2010, 11:36 PM	#30
crumb Private 3 Rep 94 Posts Drives: honda Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	It took me at least 15 or 20 minutes to jump mine today. Maybe try again!?
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03-08-2010, 08:40 PM	#31
Z4RIDER Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lewisburg, PA iTrader: (0)	Same thing happened to my '03 Z4. After several tries to jump start I realized that it was the starter. I had it replaced 3 weeks ago. Everything has been fine since.
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03-08-2010, 10:20 PM	#32
smidley Private First Class 24 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Well I'm pretty sure I'm magical. I just got done putting the starter back in and the car fired up just fine. My plan was to hook it back up and then use a multimeter to see if current was even getting as far as the starter. But it just decided to work on it's own. Maybe it just needed to be smacked around a bit? I donno. Perhaps when it fired up on the bench test it fixed itself? Maybe some connection was a bit loose? (although they all seemed tight when I disconnected everything.) Who knows. In any case, thank you all very much for your help and advice! I'll be posting a replacement DIY probably sometime tonight for the starter even though I just put my old one back in.
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03-08-2010, 10:25 PM	#33
WhoU4 First Lieutenant 21 Rep 352 Posts Drives: '05 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Madison, WI iTrader: (0)	Glad to hear its working, and also that you didn't give up! __________________ OEM Strut Brace / UUC SSK / Zeck CDV / Clutch Stop / ZHP Shift Knob / Stubby Ant / Top Covers / Dinan K&N / M Seats / SP / PP Last edited by WhoU4; 03-08-2010 at 11:58 PM..
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03-08-2010, 11:28 PM	#34
smidley Private First Class 24 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Guide posted here. http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359809
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03-09-2010, 09:48 AM	#35
lnc2bldr New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: '06 3.0i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you might have a bad spot on the commutator that isn't passing electricity. After the starter was removed it could have rotated off the area that wasn't conducting. Don't be surprised if it happens again. Robert
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03-10-2010, 11:30 AM	#37
Graham M I love my Z. Pure sex on wheels. 49 Rep 397 Posts Drives: Is sold, goodbye everyone! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	You probably had a loose wire. It may be internal, so next time this happens again, just replace it. It would really suck if you took your car out for a long spin and this happened again in some remote location. __________________
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03-26-2010, 12:52 PM	#38
smidley Private First Class 24 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Well, the starter finally went out again today. So it looks like I'll finally have to bite the bullet and buy a new one. I actually took a wrench and banged on the starter a couple of times and got it to start up... barely... it made a sound like it wasn't going to work and then finally did, but it wouldn't start again after that.
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03-26-2010, 02:36 PM	#39
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	You should go with the autohauz starter licked on page 1. $140 is hard to beat... You should be able to swap the new one in quickly since you are familiar with the process
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03-26-2010, 05:36 PM	#40
smidley Private First Class 24 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Yea, I actually found one locally for 160$ It's Endurance brand I guess. I was going to go with the Autohauz one, but this one doesn't require shipping and I can get it today.
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03-27-2010, 08:42 PM	#41
smidley Private First Class 24 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Got the new one put in and it's working great again. Hopefully this one lasts!
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03-27-2010, 11:55 PM	#42
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,990 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	Well, even if this is a part which fails periodically, its only $160 and you can fix it yourself. Pretty cheap for a BMW really...
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