Car wont Start!!! E46 325 SPORT

[Drakey1980]

Hi Everyone,

I have recently been having problems starting my car and has now resulted in the car not starting at all!

Just wondering if any of you can shed some light on a problem I am having...
The car in question is;
2003 (facelift) 325 sport auto
When I try and start the car in (P) Park, it quite often make a single "click" sound and will not start.
I have to the either shift between neutral and park a number of times turning the key after each shift and it will eventuall start.
Has anyone had a similar problem? or any idea how to fix it? Where do I start to look?
How much is this gonna cost to have diagnosed? Stealer or Independent?
Any advice will be greatly received.

Thanks in Advance

Steve

[Road_Terrorist]

When it does turn over it does so quickly and catches? ie the battery is fine?

If so then it sounds like it's probably the starter motor that's the culprit.

I guess moving between shift and park must move it around just enough to get it going again, but you'll probably needed it replaced if it's on the way out, it will only get worse otherwise. Either stuffed internally or the electrical connections to it are.

No idea what that might cost on an E46.

[Drakey1980]

I've already changed the battery, I'm begining to think it's some kind of sensor/ fuse/ connection in the gear box that is making the car belive it is in drive...
I did manage to start it eventually this morning after a couple of attempts but I did notice when it was in Park the first couple of times, the gear selector screen on the dash was showing an 'S' for sport....

Is there some sort of fuse etc for the gear box? or does it mean pulling the interior apart to get at the gear mechanism?

Thanks Again