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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 487 of 536

#4857 of 5349 Is it the EWS? by phil2400

Oct 17, 2010 (5:24 am)

I have a friend with a 1999 328i that refuses to start. I'm not familiar enough with BMWs to offer her good advise, so I'm hoping someone here can help. I looked the car over, and everything seems in order. I was reading the owner's manual about the security system in the car, and that it will prevent power to the ignition system, fuel pump and starter if it cannot read the chip in the key. Later, I found this to be called the EWS system.
 
I checked the fuses, and they all look good. I don't know where the relays are located, since all I have is the owner's manual. The car gives no reaction when the key is turned, no relays click, lights dim, nothing. The driver's information panel also gives me nothing. Is this the way the EWS works to prevent start-up?

#4858 of 5349 Re: Is it the EWS? [phil2400] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 17, 2010 (8:35 am)

Replying to: phil2400 (Oct 17, 2010 5:24 am)
do the dash lights and warning lights go on at least? Do the courtesy lights go on when the door opens?

#4859 of 5349 Re: Is it the EWS? [phil2400] by roadburner

Oct 17, 2010 (8:31 pm)

Replying to: phil2400 (Oct 17, 2010 5:24 am)
Load test the battery; you are describing a common failure mode.

#4860 of 5349 control arm balljoint by uncleto

Oct 21, 2010 (9:17 am)

Hi to everyone! My Indie BMW mechanic just repl. both of my cv boot for $395. he also said i need both front side control arm balljoints, bushings for $1200 ouch!!! to me its seems all i need is the outer balljoints. is it true that to repl. the outer ones you need to repl. the control arm altogether. meanwhile, im gonna try to get some more est. the car is 2001 325xi wagon. if would be nice if only they can do just the ball joints and re use the arm. any imputs will be much appreciated before i make my final choice. the car has 72,000+ miles. Thanks again!

#4861 of 5349 Re: control arm balljoint [uncleto] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 21, 2010 (9:21 am)

Replying to: uncleto (Oct 21, 2010 9:17 am)
No that doesn't sound right. You should get a 2nd opinion.

#4862 of 5349 Re: control arm balljoint [uncleto] by roadburner

Oct 21, 2010 (1:51 pm)

Replying to: uncleto (Oct 21, 2010 9:17 am)
I agree with Mr. Shiftright. Something isn't right with that estimate. After all, you can get a complete BMW Performance suspension kit from Turner Motorsport for just $574.33. If you only want the control arms you can get an upgraded set from Bavarian Autosport for $450.

#4863 of 5349 Re: Is it the EWS? [roadburner] by phil2400

Oct 21, 2010 (6:33 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Oct 17, 2010 8:31 pm)
All the lights light up fine. Courtesy lights are nice and bright. All the dash indicator lights come on, as they should. When you turn the key, tho, you get no changes. No lights dim or go out, no clicking noises.
 
The battery is only a couple of months old. We hooked up the jumper cables to the battery in the rear, but still no change.
 
Also, is it normal for these cars to not allow a second chance to start the car unless the key is removed first? When I tried to start it, and got nothing, I went to try again, but the key refused to turn. I had to turn off the ignition and remove the key before it would let me turn it to 'start' again.

#4864 of 5349 Re: control arm balljoint [Mr_Shiftright] by uncleto

Oct 21, 2010 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 21, 2010 9:21 am)
I think the breakdown was $700 parts, $400 for labor + tax. dont even know if the $400 that i paid to repl. both front cv boot was pricey. i had it done this wed. and had no time to shop aorund. Beside 1 dealer here, his the only one Indie BMW mechanic that i know aorund here. Last month i went to the dealer bec. of the recall re. the rear subframe for cracks and inspection for free. So i asked them if they could also check the front suspension. to my supsrise the service manager said, no cracks on the rear frame and no problem w/ the suspension. but to my knowledge i know something is wrong bec. every now and then i could a tod noise coming from the front wheel sound like a ball joint. i tried to jack both front wheel and move the wheels side to side or left to right. there's movement to the left or 9 oclock positon both wheels, none to the right or 3' oclock position. to my knowledge. there's shouldnt be any movement either left or right. am i right on that.
Thanks!

#4865 of 5349 Re: control arm balljoint [Mr_Shiftright] by uncleto

Oct 21, 2010 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 21, 2010 9:21 am)
I think the breakdown was $700 parts, $400 for labor + tax. dont even know if the $400 that i paid to repl. both front cv boot was pricey. i had it done this wed. and had no time to shop aorund. Beside 1 dealer here, his the only one Indie BMW mechanic that i know aorund here. Last month i went to the dealer bec. of the recall re. the rear subframe for cracks and inspection for free. So i asked them if they could also check the front suspension. to my supsrise the service manager said, no cracks on the rear frame and no problem w/ the suspension. but to my knowledge i know something is wrong bec. every now and then i could a tod noise coming from the front wheel sound like a ball joint. i tried to jack both front wheel and move the wheels side to side or left to right. there's movement to the left or 9 oclock positon both wheels, none to the right or 3' oclock position. to my knowledge. there's shouldnt be any movement either left or right. am i right on that.

#4866 of 5349 Re: Is it the EWS? [phil2400] by roadburner

Oct 21, 2010 (8:46 pm)

Replying to: phil2400 (Oct 21, 2010 6:33 pm)
Check the battery cables- especially the ground cables at the battery and the engine.

Messages Page 487 of 536

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