540 will not turn over

[barry 90 525i]

Just biught a 95 540/A last week, car was running fine, parked at night and in the morning will not turn over, all lights work and power windows. I had put a new battery in when i bought it. Switched battery from another car in just to make sure, still will not turn over. Any ideas where to start on my next day off? thanks

[whiskychaser]

Just biught a 95 540/A last week, car was running fine, parked at night and in the morning will not turn over, all lights work and power windows. I had put a new battery in when i bought it. Switched battery from another car in just to make sure, still will not turn over. Any ideas where to start on my next day off? thanks

Assume your dash lights dont dim or go out when you turn the key or you would have said so. First thing to check is if you are getting a voltage at the small solenoid terminal when you turn the key. If not you need to work back to the key via the starter relay and possibly immobiliser. As its an auto there will be a switch to stop you starting it in anything but P or N. Worth j-j-jiggling it about a bit as Arkwright would say.

[genphreak]

Assume your dash lights dont dim or go out when you turn the key or you would have said so. First thing to check is if you are getting a voltage at the small solenoid terminal when you turn the key. If not you need to work back to the key via the starter relay and possibly immobiliser. As its an auto there will be a switch to stop you starting it in anything but P or N. Worth j-j-jiggling it about a bit as Arkwright would say.

Very good advice there.

If you have no luck you may need to look at the EWS. It is the system that (aka drive away protection) that cause this- it is designed to interrupt the 12V 'crank' signal from position 3 (run starter) on the barrel to the starter solenoid.

But beware, EWS is most reliable. EWS: 25 pages info

That said, switching batteries seems to trigger mine every time... (I have another fault to find which is no-doubt root cause: causing no power to the door locks and windows which is not the usual culprits; ie Power Protection Relays, related fuses or the body electrics 80A fuse)

Many people goto the dealer to get their EWS reset, (the modic and other diagnostic tools, not carsoft) can reset an e34 EWS systems.

Note: Your problem will not be however in EWS-Engine coding (you have to change/destroy either the EWS module or the ECU to have this problem)

Your problem may require an EWS reset- check the above link for details.

BTW; Is your battery still charged- or has it run-down overnight?

[Tiger]

Shift tranny to N to see if it cranks... if yes, then starter safet switch is bad.

[barry 90 525i]

Tried shifting between P and N, still no help. Lights do not go dim when trying to start. I hear a clicking sound from drivers side rear pass every time i go to start. How do they reset ews? Can i take it out of the car and take it to dealer? and how much do they charge for it? Im not real close to the dealer Anything else i can try? Could it just be the starter failed with no warning? Im not real good with electronics but can change anything out, thank you

[Tiger]

Check owner's manual to see if they have any tips on EWS and alarm.

[barry 90 525i]

Tger, about a year ago u posted that u undid a harness to bypass it and was able to start the motor, could u explain in more detail that?, thanks

[Tiger]

Oh that! Yeah, I basically disconnected the alarm system so I can start up the car. The alarm box has two harness going into it... I disconnected one harness and the car will start up. Give it a shot.

That wasn't a year ago... more like 6 years ago.

[bubba966]

What's the build date of this 540? If it's got EWS II it's not so easy to get around.

[genphreak]

Tried shifting between P and N, still no help. Lights do not go dim when trying to start. I hear a clicking sound from drivers side rear pass every time i go to start. How do they reset ews? Can i take it out of the car and take it to dealer? and how much do they charge for it? Im not real close to the dealer Anything else i can try? Could it just be the starter failed with no warning? Im not real good with electronics but can change anything out, thank you

**Don't mess** with EWS. An old Bimmer is not for people that do not get electronics. Don't even take it to anyone who does not know them. Its all about experience. Did you even read the link I posted?