Weird starting problem..

[Flamin'Cow]

Hmm...

Yesterday the car wouldn't start and the OBC was saying 'OIL LEVEL SENSOR + OIL PRESSURE SENSOR - CHECK OWNERS MANUAL' - which I did, it wasnt much help (refer to a BMW specialist).

I checked the oil level - no problems there, but it just kept 'binging' and not allowing me to start.

Eventually (with the assistance of my girlfriend) we managed to bump start the car. I drove straight to my local garage and the mechanic changed my oil for me AND the filter (Castrol GTX3 10w/40w), + topped up the gearbox level and gave the car the once-over - no problems, but he suggested I get a new battery as my one had a dodgy cell. - I like my local mechanic - he only charged me labour for all of that (£20).

Car started fine - drove home - no worries - happy bunny.

Today, car wouldnt start "again" - same thing. 'OIL LEVEL SENSOR + OIL PRESSURE SENSOR - CHECK OWNERS MAUNAL'.

So I went out and got myself a nice new battery (a BIG one) - I have just fitted it and the problem is persisting. Its strange, out of every 10 times I turn the key 6-7 of them I hear the starter motor engage with a loud "CLICK" (defo starter and not solenoid) but it wont turn over and it seems to be this warning message that is stopping the car from starting?

Any ideas where the 'OIL LEVEL' and 'OIL PRESSURE' sensors are? maybe if I found them I could disconnect the bastards! And why are they coming on when I have no Oil leaks, no 'creamy' headgasket blown stuff and my oil level is FINE!

Thanks for your help in advance.

FLAMINCOW

[Flamin'Cow]

Hmmm Okay so I'm working on her atm.....



I tunrned the key in the ignition and now the 'OIL PRESSURE SENSOR' warning has gone (no '+' at the end of the warning line)...



She's just saying 'OIL LEVEL SENSOR' now with the old 'OWNERS MANUAL'.



I have also tried branching from the battery direct to the starter/solenoid and it 'bings' and says the same thing! I have also tried putting her in gear and then rocking her back and forth (to free up a sticky starter), but that does not have any effect.

PLEASE I think it might rain later and I need to get my car in the garage! - HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kindest regards

FLAMINCOW

[Flamin'Cow]

Okay,

Been playinmg around with her for a while now. If I remove the +pos wire (small one) from the bottom connection on the starter solenoid then try and start, the warning messages DO NOT APPEAR (but obviously it doesn't start). Then when I reconnect that +pos and try to start 'OIL LEVEL SENSOR' comes on, and it comes on with the '+' for a split second then that goes off. Then when I take the key OUT of the ignition, the '+' is back with 'OIL PRESSURE SENSOR' warning.....

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr This car is REALLY starting to piss me off.....

Kind regards

Flamin'Cow

[SnakeyesTx]

Even if the sensor is bad... is that something that would interrupt the starting circuit? Just seems like a separate issue causing your problem

[Felixdacat]

When you turn the Ignition, do you get voltage to the starter?

[Flamin'Cow]

Yes.

Sometimes it even tries to crank but stops after a quick 'click'.

[SnakeyesTx]

Starter relay or starter solenid? Is it a manual? Try push starting?

[Flamin'Cow]

Okay so she 'usually' push-starts (yes its maunal) had a new starter relay and solenoid installed 2 weeks ago (as was not starting, but that seemed to cure the problem) - I managed to push start before. she started on the key then 3 or 4 times, but each time the starter didn't sound 'right'. Kinda clicking a bit before it engaged. After the 4th start on the key, she 'clicked' and the whole 'OIL LEVEL SENSOR + OIL PRESSURE SENSOR' lights came up.....

[Flamin'Cow]

Right,

I've just taken the starter motor off, cleaned & greased it, and then re-installed it. I'm ****in' filthy and its 11:30 PM!

I tried the key in the ignition and held it on 'start' - I got a long series of about 10-15 loud 'clicks' from the starter "tica-tica-tica-tica", like it was trying to turn over, but the engine was not turning over (no fan/belt movement) and after the 15th or so click the 'OIL LEVEL SENSOR' check came up on the control panel and it stopped clicking. I tried again, this time I got about 4 or so 'clicks' in a row from the starter, then the message. Tried AGAIN, got one 'click' then back to the same message again.

I'm gonna go trace the wires now and make sure everything is okay there....any suggestions?

[SnakeyesTx]

Battery! Use one of those chargers that have the 80amp start option, and try cranking over with that connected on that setting. Your voltage could be 12v but your CCA could be so low that its throwing the computer .