Zombie starting issues

[alexandre]

Hey guys,

Car wouldn't start this morning. First off, battery is at 12.4V when car is off, 13.8V when running, and doesn't show any low power symptoms so I'm ruling it out.

At first it clicked when turning the key, then it stopped doing that. No cranking at all. I tried about 10 times before giving up and push starting it. I drive it home, stop it, and try again - starts on first crank, not a glitch, which leaves me dumbfounded as to what it could be.

Clutch switch is coded out.

From what I've read it can be a variety of things:

- Ignition switch
- Bad relays
- Starter itself
- Something with the key pairing or EWS/immobilizer system

The no-click situation makes me suspect the ignition switch. Seeing how it starts properly now I doubt it's the starter itself. From what it looks like there aren't any starter-specific relays. Any insight from people who have dealt with similar issues?

Cheers!

[Oli77]

My car did something just like that (no click, absolutely nothing from the engine bay). All the lights on the dash and the cabin would work, radio also. But not start.

Changed the battery and it all went smoothly after that.

[BMWCurves]

I know you ruled out the battery, but how old is it?

Mine was original when I changed it a few months ago. It would crank okay, but it was doing a few odd electrical things like having a loud speaker pop on start up.

[ELCID86]

Yeah it could be the battery. Or ground?


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46fanatic

[alexandre]

Battery is 3 years old... I'm the one that changed it and when the original one went it would at least click. Grounds are definitely a possibility, especially after my under car work (i know there's one ground near the engine mounts that's a bit finicky)

[alexandre]

Okay so I just buckled up after changing the starter and ignition switch. The job definitely earned it's reputation. However nothing's changed... At least I'll have done starter preventatively lol. I disconnected the battery during the job and put it on a charger. I also tried jump starting with no success.

When displaying voltage on OBC menu I see 12.6V. When turning key to start the voltage doesn't change which seems particular. I'm gonna run the codes tomorrow and try my spare key too. Suspecting EWS more and more now.

[Karl Lazlo]

Did you code off the clutch interlock when you did your clutch stop?

Edit: Disregard. Reading is fundamental.

[alexandre]

Going to the indy to pick it up. Ended up being the engine ground. Oh well. At least I got a new starter out of this ordeal!

[BMWCurves]

I would not have suspected that, but glad they found something. Hope that solves your issue long term

[alexandre]

-39 F this morning and it started right up at first crank. Problem is definitely solved. :thumbsup

[ELCID86]

Glad it worked. And you need a job in California!


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46fanatic