E46 M3 Manual starting Problems
Discussion
Hi All,
After a good drive 70 mile trip back home last week, and with the car outside the house, the M3 refused to start. There was no warning at the start of the trip - the car started perfectly first time and drove faultlessly back home. But, with the M3 blocking the driveway, I made the foolish move of turning the car off to unload the boot (car is set up to open the boot from the key fob hence key out of ignition) and returning to the car 60 seconds later - nothing. Silence. Sometimes it would get the solenoid click from the starter, but no crank, and other times complete silence. The ignition lights would light up on the dash, but no fire...
Naturally this is at 11pm on a Sunday night, so next day (with help from the AA) I was able to bump start the car and drive it round to my local spanner monkey. I've had the starter replaced with a brand new one (the old one wouldn't spin at all when connected to a battery on the floor) but even with a new starter installed it still won't crank and fire up. The battery has been fully charged and even with a jump start there is no life, yet a rolling bump start off the garage ramps sees her roar into life straight away. This time however the battery light is on and the alternator isn't charging the battery!
The car is a 2003 and is mint with 88k on the clock. I've had the starter go once before back in 2008, but have I just been extremely unlucky having both the starter AND alternator go at the end of this trip? And with a new starter on and a jump start, why won't she crank over but will fire on a bump start? I've done a bit of research on the forums with this but there is never anything conclusive, but suggestions are ignition switch, starter (replaced), obviously now a new alternator, battery (tested ok), key fob out of sync etc.
Has anyone had these symptoms, and what was the solution? Any help appreciated.
Cheers
After a good drive 70 mile trip back home last week, and with the car outside the house, the M3 refused to start. There was no warning at the start of the trip - the car started perfectly first time and drove faultlessly back home. But, with the M3 blocking the driveway, I made the foolish move of turning the car off to unload the boot (car is set up to open the boot from the key fob hence key out of ignition) and returning to the car 60 seconds later - nothing. Silence. Sometimes it would get the solenoid click from the starter, but no crank, and other times complete silence. The ignition lights would light up on the dash, but no fire...
Naturally this is at 11pm on a Sunday night, so next day (with help from the AA) I was able to bump start the car and drive it round to my local spanner monkey. I've had the starter replaced with a brand new one (the old one wouldn't spin at all when connected to a battery on the floor) but even with a new starter installed it still won't crank and fire up. The battery has been fully charged and even with a jump start there is no life, yet a rolling bump start off the garage ramps sees her roar into life straight away. This time however the battery light is on and the alternator isn't charging the battery!
The car is a 2003 and is mint with 88k on the clock. I've had the starter go once before back in 2008, but have I just been extremely unlucky having both the starter AND alternator go at the end of this trip? And with a new starter on and a jump start, why won't she crank over but will fire on a bump start? I've done a bit of research on the forums with this but there is never anything conclusive, but suggestions are ignition switch, starter (replaced), obviously now a new alternator, battery (tested ok), key fob out of sync etc.
Has anyone had these symptoms, and what was the solution? Any help appreciated.
Cheers
Have you still got your valet key the grey one with no remote on it. If you have see if it starts with that this key it bypasses the imobiliser and may start it if it does the battery in your remote key has gone they charge up when in the ignition but dont last for ever
one of mine has to be started with that key if put the remote in all lights come on but wont turn engine use my valet key starts as normal
one of mine has to be started with that key if put the remote in all lights come on but wont turn engine use my valet key starts as normal
If it works off a bump start, then your not looking at immobiliser, key or anything like that. If it was the alternator then with a fully charged battery it should still start. And if the new starter motor doesn't sort it I'd be looking at the wiring from the battery, you might be able to 12-14v if checked with a multimeter but you may not get it under cranking as you are putting a large amount of current along the line. If u put jump leads under the bonnet at the jump point and it starts then you should be able to say it's a poor connection (corroded or chafed) going back I the battery in the boot. Don't rule out the earth/negative circuit either
Cheers Guys. I'll try the valet key idea.
My thoughts also where that if it bump starts and runs then the key/immobiliser is working ok. A faulty lead does sound more promising (it is conceivable that something worked loose on the starting circuit on the trip home?), but the car won't start when jumped from the terminals in the engine bay - be it from a booster pack or another car. I guess it is not inconceivable that the new starter is faulty too?? It is an OEM Valeo unit so I would like to think that it would work out of the box, but the workshop admit that the didn't try it before installing it...
My thoughts also where that if it bump starts and runs then the key/immobiliser is working ok. A faulty lead does sound more promising (it is conceivable that something worked loose on the starting circuit on the trip home?), but the car won't start when jumped from the terminals in the engine bay - be it from a booster pack or another car. I guess it is not inconceivable that the new starter is faulty too?? It is an OEM Valeo unit so I would like to think that it would work out of the box, but the workshop admit that the didn't try it before installing it...
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