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Thread: Car not cranking.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Melb, Australia
    Posts
    155

    Default Car not cranking.

    Hey Dudes,

    I've done a search on this but I can't find the exact problem...i think. But if it's been done before, please link.

    For the past 2 days when I turn the key to start the car the engine doesn't crank. It has started maybe 2 times total in the past 2 days, other times it has cranked then stopped cranking (like the battery didn't have enough charge to keep it going) but mostly not cranking at all. Though when I turn the key to possition 2 (possition just before cranking) I hear the 2 clicks coming from the starter and a 'humm' which is normal (is that right)

    The battery is new and charged measuring about 12 volts. I only have an old analog multimeter. I've measured accross the battery terminals, starter solenoid connections and alternator all measuring the same as the battery (~12 volts). The OBC test #9 is measuring just under 12 volts.

    Another thing I have done is hooked up jumper leads from another car (running) and the OBC is reading over 13 volts; but still no cranking.

    Is it a non-functioning starter solenoid or somthing else?
    Ken, from Melbourne AUS.
    '89 535iA with a 5 speed swap.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Melb, Australia
    Posts
    155

    Default

    Holy ****. I re-read the Bentley manual, read that if the head light are on and DO NOT dim when one turns the key to start the car, the solenoid may be faulty. Is there anything else I can check to verify this?
    Oh and this is happening...
    Last edited by Ken35i; 11-08-2008 at 01:03 AM.
    Ken, from Melbourne AUS.
    '89 535iA with a 5 speed swap.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Gold Coast, Australia
    Posts
    178

    Default

    yeh mate sounds like your solinoid on ya start has had it. try tapping it while cranking

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    206

    Default

    How are your battery terminals. I once had a poor connection and everything worked except the starter. I replaced the starter and still the same thing.Then my brother helped me out and replaced the terminal and she fired right up.

    This wasn't on a BMW though.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Melb, Australia
    Posts
    155

    Default

    Terminals are in good nick. Being under the seat and all away from the elements.

    Thanks for the reply, guys.
    Ken, from Melbourne AUS.
    '89 535iA with a 5 speed swap.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    19

    Default

    fusable links ?
    also your battery voltage should be higher than 12v , more like 12.75 . Try a quick charge on it before you rip the starter apart .

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Melb, Australia
    Posts
    155

    Default

    I hooked another car up via jumper leads and the voltage was around 13 volts it still didn't crank. I thought with faulty fusable links other things wouldn't work properly, eg wipers.
    Ken, from Melbourne AUS.
    '89 535iA with a 5 speed swap.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,843

    Default

    might be the wires at the starter or the starter itself.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Dayton Ohio
    Posts
    1,483

    Default use a hammer

    use a hammer and have some one smack the solenoid and starter while you turn the ignition on

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken35i View Post
    Hey Dudes,

    I've done a search on this but I can't find the exact problem...i think. But if it's been done before, please link.

    For the past 2 days when I turn the key to start the car the engine doesn't crank. It has started maybe 2 times total in the past 2 days, other times it has cranked then stopped cranking (like the battery didn't have enough charge to keep it going) but mostly not cranking at all. Though when I turn the key to possition 2 (possition just before cranking) I hear the 2 clicks coming from the starter and a 'humm' which is normal (is that right)

    The battery is new and charged measuring about 12 volts. I only have an old analog multimeter. I've measured accross the battery terminals, starter solenoid connections and alternator all measuring the same as the battery (~12 volts). The OBC test #9 is measuring just under 12 volts.

    Another thing I have done is hooked up jumper leads from another car (running) and the OBC is reading over 13 volts; but still no cranking.

    Is it a non-functioning starter solenoid or somthing else?

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