Ask the Car People.SM


BMW 3-Series Starting Problems

95 messages,  Last post on Mar 12, 2013 at 11:47 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 5 of 10

#40 of 95 Ignition problem 2000 328i by mailbox20

Mar 12, 2011 (11:01 am)

My 2000 BMW 328i wont start, Battery, starter, alternator all good. Replaced the ignition switch, tumbler, and code reader ( that black plastic ring on the tumbler assembly) and still no luck. All lights and everytything works when the key is on but no juice to the starter. I don't know where to go from here. I need some help to do this myself as I do not live anywhere near a BMW shop.

#41 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [wogaswoga] by geoint

Jul 01, 2011 (8:06 am)

Replying to: wogaswoga (Apr 13, 2010 4:43 pm)
Our 2002 BMW 330CI just did the exact same thing... The anti-theft/key problem. I almost had it towed as well. Bottom line - keep an extra key with...
Ours came with the plastic wallet key, the valet key, and the 2 larger battery keys. The pure plastic key is in my wallet now... (Never leave home without it...)

#42 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [geoint] by mailbox20

Jul 01, 2011 (10:35 am)

Replying to: geoint (Jul 01, 2011 8:06 am)
I finally took mine to the BMW shop. It turned out to be the ECM (the module that tells the brain that the code reader has read the right code for that car). Every time I take the car to the shop its always $600 to fix it. Is it a BMW thing or what. I will never own another BMW as soon as I can find someone to buy this POS from me. Thought they were built well and reliable but I have found out that the 3 series was made to be a cheap line of cars.

#43 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [mailbox20] by roadburner

Jul 01, 2011 (10:57 am)

Replying to: mailbox20 (Jul 01, 2011 10:35 am)
Thought they were built well and reliable but I have found out that the 3 series was made to be a cheap line of cars.
 
Exactly; my 1995 3 series has run up maintenance and repair costs that amount to an unbelievable five cents per mile over the 16 years that I have owned it. To top things off, I've taken to two HPDEs this year and each time it has only managed to return 15 mpg on the track. What a disappointment...

#44 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [wogaswoga] by sunrhythms

Feb 17, 2012 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: wogaswoga (Apr 13, 2010 4:43 pm)
try the ignition switch.. its found in the steering column i believe

#45 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [sunrhythms] by mailbox20

Feb 17, 2012 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: sunrhythms (Feb 17, 2012 3:30 pm)
Brilliant. You must be the same mechanic i've been taking my car to. Thank god for geniuses like you. I dont know what the world would do without you. Your a lifesaver. Thank you

#46 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [mailbox20] by kirstie_h HOST

Feb 20, 2012 (1:55 pm)

Replying to: mailbox20 (Feb 17, 2012 4:40 pm)
Sounds like you're being quite sarcastic to another member, which we frown on around here. If you'll notice, sunrhythms wasn't responding to you or your issue - he was providing advice in response to another member's question.

#47 of 95 Re: 325i starter problems [roadburner] by skyrgr

Mar 26, 2012 (1:24 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 17, 2007 9:36 pm)
I have similar problems with my '94 BMW 325i. I bought it used 2 months ago for local transportation. It has issues with transmission slipping, ABS brake light and when cold check engine light. Other issues include hood and trunk latch and radio which may be electrical related. BLUF: the vehicle had no problem starting for two months it cranked over perfectly even in extremely cold weather. I left the vehicle sit for 6-7 days without starting it and now she won't crankover for me. The Battery is brand new and supposedly the starter was new one year ago.
 
My intent is to put another starter on the vehicle and if this doesn't solve the problem then junk it. Any other suggestion from BMW expert would be appreciated. - mike

#48 of 95 Re: 325i starter problems [skyrgr] by roadburner

Mar 26, 2012 (10:49 am)

Replying to: skyrgr (Mar 26, 2012 1:24 am)
My intent is to put another starter on the vehicle and if this doesn't solve the problem then junk it. Any other suggestion from BMW expert would be appreciated.
 
DON'T start throwing parts at the problem. First, clean the battery terminals and clamps as well as the ground cables in the trunk as well as the engine grounds under the hood. Next, have the battery load tested. If the battery is good, find out how much current the car is drawing at rest- it should be 0.25 - 0.4 Amperes. If the radio is an aftermarket unit and the installer butchered the wiring harness all bets are off. Check to see if the glove box or trunk lights remain on, and inspect the wiring that goes to the trunk lid, they sometimes short due to insulation rubbing off.
If you can't perform this work yourself I STRONGLY recommend finding a shop that KNOWS BMWs. I've seen far too many people pay a mechanic their hard-earned money so that he can learn about BMWs...

#49 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [mailbox20] by ophidian_pr1m3

Apr 12, 2012 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: mailbox20 (Jul 01, 2011 10:35 am)
Do you know how much the ECM cost by itself? I'm having the same problem with my 2004 325ci.... Had the problem a couple weeks ago but a new battery solved the problem. Now when I turn the key nothing happens???

Messages Page 5 of 10

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement