Why won’t you start?!?!

[Jlo89]

2007 Z4C with approximately 86K miles.

Good evening mates,

Has anyone had this issue, where the car won’t start? The battery was changed in January 2024 and The car has been sitting for the past 3 days. Could the starter be going out? Maybe ignition? I also heard that the gear selector switch may be something of interest.

Any help would be appreciated.
Jlo

[Clearancediver]

I would replace ignition switch …. It’s inexpensive and an easy DIY.

That eliminates a possible cause…

[Jlo89]

Originally Posted by Clearancediver

I would replace ignition switch …. It’s inexpensive and an easy DIY.

That eliminates a possible cause…

Thanks mate. I’ll definitely look into this.

[Z4 Chaplain]

I just had the same thing happen to my 08 Z4 today, except that nothing I do makes any difference. What was your problem? I'm just about to order a new starter.

UPDATE: This happened on Wednesday and Saturday morning I was back on the road. I went to where my Z4 was and tried to start it again and heard a click! Great news, because it was the solenoid relay, meaning that it was probably just the starter. So, I bought a $73 starter on Amazon. When I found out where the starter was, I freaked out about having to remove the intake manifold. Watched a number of YouTube videos and finally felt confident enough to do it. I didn't remove the manifold from the car, but I did make enough room to remove and replace the starter. Buttoned it back up, didn't find anything extra parts or bolts hanging around, so I re-cnnected the battery, prayed, turned the key, and VOILA, it turned over and started right up! I saved a whole bunch of Benjamin's on that project!

[Jlo89]

Originally Posted by Clearancediver

I would replace ignition switch …. It’s inexpensive and an easy DIY.

That eliminates a possible cause…

It turned out to be the ignition switch. Thanks

[Jlo89]

Originally Posted by Z4 Chaplain

I just had the same thing happen to my 08 Z4 today, except that nothing I do makes any difference. What was your problem? I'm just about to order a new starter.

UPDATE: This happened on Wednesday and Saturday morning I was back on the road. I went to where my Z4 was and tried to start it again and heard a click! Great news, because it was the solenoid relay, meaning that it was probably just the starter. So, I bought a $73 starter on Amazon. When I found out where the starter was, I freaked out about having to remove the intake manifold. Watched a number of YouTube videos and finally felt confident enough to do it. I didn't remove the manifold from the car, but I did make enough room to remove and replace the starter. Buttoned it back up, didn't find anything extra parts or bolts hanging around, so I re-cnnected the battery, prayed, turned the key, and VOILA, it turned over and started right up! I saved a whole bunch of Benjamin's on that project!

Glad you were able to address your issue chaplain. Like you, I too removed the starter just to have it checked out at the local auto parts store. It turned out to be okay. But man, was it discouraging to remove that piece! Luckily I too watched a few videos on YouTube that gave me that confidence to do the job myself. At the end, my issue was something more basic, an ignition switch. Nonetheless, I’m back in the road.