e46 320d - Not Cranking

[Skellen]

Need some help please.

Have a 2001 E46 320d (136) - its a high miler but used as the family snotter.

5 days ago - would not start - no crank nothing. Remote key works, all ancillaries work. I've check the battery and tried to jump - nothing. Have this morning changed he ignition switch for a new one - nothing.

Internet wisdom says key or EWS (I only have one key so will need to order another anyway as soon as the V5 comes back from the DVLA!)

Is there anything I can do to check it is the key? My other thought is whether it could be an earth issue?

Cheers

[TheEnd]

If you can get to the EWS box which is under the dash somewhere, unplug it, and bridge the connections on the loom plug between pins 1 and 2, that should make the starter motor work.

It won't start the engine, but if it cranks, you'll know it was the EWS module that is stopping things.

Also you can switch the ignition off and listen for a relay to click 3-4 seconds afterwards (it's inside the EWS box)

If you can't hear that relay (it bridges pins 1 and 2 to allow the starter motor) then it is the EWS box that is stopping the car.

If it's an auto, you can shift between P/N and D/R and you'd get the same click as it will click to disable the starter motor in drive.

[Skellen]

Thanks that's great.

So if it is the EWS box preventing it, I presume that could be all / any of the EWS box itself, the key, transponder antenna or a wiring fault?

Cheers

[TheEnd]

It'll tell you if it is the immobiliser causing the issue or not.

The key can lose the random synchro code if the battery died mid way through transferring them which can be an awkward problem. A spare key should start it though.