E65 730i N52 starter motor

[helix402]

Just changed one of these. It was my first on the N52 and wasn’t widely excited about it. I was rather pleased to have it all done (changed) in 1.5hrs.

Here’s how I did it:

Diagnosis (1hr): carry out full diagnostic test, no relevant faults stored, try spare key, no start, test battery, good. Check battery connections, good. Check starter fuses, good.

Then I looked at BMWs guided trouble shooting, this was very long winded and time consuming, so I went back to basics.

Reach under inlet manifold to starter. Check perm +ve and earth. Check term 50 (switched live). All correct. Either the engine was seized or starter motor failed. I went for starter.

Parts needed: recon Bosch starter, two new starter bolts.

To do the job I removed the air box and unbolted the inlet manifold-no need to fully remove it. Disconnect as little as possible. Replace motor, reassemble stuff.

To finish cleared all fault memories and fully charged battery. Sorted.

Above procedure will apply to all N52s though space may be tighter in the engine bay on some of the smaller models.

[dmarkovina]

Brilliant write-up thanks.I have an E66 with the same engine so may come handy one day...

[helix402]

Glad to help.