What broke on my car.....? Diagnosis help please....
Discussion
Went to start up my car on Saturday morning.... BMW Z3 2.8i.
Car was in garage so not particularly cold.
Engine turned over and started first time.
After running for no more than three seconds, loud bang heard - thought it was a misfire at first (car was in gargage so would have sounded louder than outside, and roof was down). Car stalled.
Car would not restart. No starter motor noise. No turning over.
On reflection, loud 'bang' had a 'metalic' noise rather than combustion sort of noise.
No smoke or anything. No other indications of issue. Feels like a car with a flat battery as its not doing anything much on trying to restart, but I suspect its not as simple as a flat battery. Car had just started fine and battery would still power close the hood. ELectrics seemed to have plenty of juice.
Any ideas?
Car was in garage so not particularly cold.
Engine turned over and started first time.
After running for no more than three seconds, loud bang heard - thought it was a misfire at first (car was in gargage so would have sounded louder than outside, and roof was down). Car stalled.
Car would not restart. No starter motor noise. No turning over.
On reflection, loud 'bang' had a 'metalic' noise rather than combustion sort of noise.
No smoke or anything. No other indications of issue. Feels like a car with a flat battery as its not doing anything much on trying to restart, but I suspect its not as simple as a flat battery. Car had just started fine and battery would still power close the hood. ELectrics seemed to have plenty of juice.
Any ideas?
is there power at all now?
sounds like something shorted out and caused something else to go bang. I'd suggest its not a fuse, but its possible something is breaching both contacts on the battery. Did you leave a spanner in there?
i suspect the starter clutch may have failed to disengage causing it to go pop
sounds like something shorted out and caused something else to go bang. I'd suggest its not a fuse, but its possible something is breaching both contacts on the battery. Did you leave a spanner in there?
i suspect the starter clutch may have failed to disengage causing it to go pop
doogz said:
When you let the tension of the key, did the starter motor stop? Or could you hear it still turning over? If the engine fired up and the solenoid jammed/didn't disengage, you might have grenaded your starter motor?
Kinda really hard to tell without seeing/hearing, could be one of a million things.
Kinda really hard to tell without seeing/hearing, could be one of a million things.
This was my first thought too, as you say hard to tell without listening.
I had a 328i that did a similar thing a few years ago. It doesn't sound 'highly' likely with yours as it ran for a few seconds, but mine was the starter motor.
The BMW (indy) chap I spoke to at the time said that the 328 was known for a starter motor problem, new starter motor later my problem was solved.
In saying that it used to whirr then go bang.
Just a thought. Other than that I'm a bit flummoxed.. sorry.
My current 328i throws a hissy fit sometimes when warm, it presents this sort of symptom occasionally.
Nightmare job for diy, as ideally the car has to be on a ramp, and it's a suspension bit removal job, or, from above, inlet manifold off etc, which can open up all sorts of cans of worms with air leaks and stuff
The BMW (indy) chap I spoke to at the time said that the 328 was known for a starter motor problem, new starter motor later my problem was solved.
In saying that it used to whirr then go bang.
Just a thought. Other than that I'm a bit flummoxed.. sorry.
My current 328i throws a hissy fit sometimes when warm, it presents this sort of symptom occasionally.
Nightmare job for diy, as ideally the car has to be on a ramp, and it's a suspension bit removal job, or, from above, inlet manifold off etc, which can open up all sorts of cans of worms with air leaks and stuff
Corsair7 said:
Manual
Open the bonnet and eyeball the crank pullyPut the car 5th with ignition off
Now while looking under the bonnet at the crank pully rock the car forwards.
If it goes moves then its cheap
If it doesn't move and the car stays still. Either you need more wheatabik or its expensive
doogz said:
When you let the tension of the key, did the starter motor stop? Or could you hear it still turning over? If the engine fired up and the solenoid jammed/didn't disengage, you might have grenaded your starter motor?
Kinda really hard to tell without seeing/hearing, could be one of a million things.
ddnt hear it still going but wasnt listening for it either, if you see what i mean.Kinda really hard to tell without seeing/hearing, could be one of a million things.
I suspected the starter motor too.
Corsair7 said:
I'm currentky thinking of closing te garage door and not even looking at the car until some time in January, as i think its a big expensive job...... :-(
Only owned the car for three weeks....
Presumably you have a warranty then? Unless you bought private? In which case, condolences.Only owned the car for three weeks....
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