[h0ldem_8o8]

Hi I have a 2006 BMW 330i, the car does not crank/start. I check the battery color indicator, it is green. I then checked the voltage using the OBC "hidden menu", voltage was 11.9V. This is where I'm confused, I've heard people say max voltage is 12.6, so 11.9V is a dead, uncharged, battery. Then in other threads people say 11.9V is enough to start the car, anything near 10V is bad. Im in southern California temperature is not cold enough to affect battery operation. I also checked and clean the positive, negative, and all ground connections. I also jump started the car using a battery pack, but still no crank, no start. It just makes ONE soft click noise and then nothing. The car did have a hard time starting about a month ago when I went to vegas it was near 35F. It tried to start but failed, but it started on the second try. Start ups are usually quick, no more than ~1.25 seconds (just a guess to give you an idea). So is it the battery? I thought it could be the battery, but car did not start with battery pack, indicator is green, but voltage is 11.9. So is 11.9V not enough or enough? Thanks in advance

[mike3000fl]

starter solenoid perhaps. either way its an 06, chuck a new starter in. i bought a duralast lifetime warranty one from autozone or advance for like $150, it's just a starter, no need to pay OEM prices.

[paco89]

charge the battery overnight and try again, some cars will need the full 12.6+V to start a car. Just charge and try and go from there.

[h0ldem_8o8]

Okay thank you, ya I ordered a remanufactured bosh starter for about $120. I will also get a trickle charger and charge the battery. I hope it's either the battery or the starter, preferably the starter so that I dont have to get the battery registered. I will keep you posted. Thanks for your replies

[Route 16]

I'm pushing it on my 8 year old battery. I charged it last night, start is back to normal but it definitely needs to change. I think we'll be seeing more and more maintenance threads this year.

[buzzard]

If the car will not jump start, the problem is not the battery. Most likely the starter is dying or dead. Sometimes you can get another start or two by tapping on the starter firmly. You can see the starter through the intake manifold toward the back. Use a broom stick or pipe to tap the starter. If this works, you've proven the starter is almost dead.

[dmatre]

When my battery died the 'eye' was still green, the battery was showing 12 volts with no load, 6v when connected to the car (0.6amp load from what I've seen). Take the battery to Napa, Autozone, etc, and have them test it.

[buzzard]

Originally Posted by dmatre

When my battery died the 'eye' was still green, the battery was showing 12 volts with no load, 6v when connected to the car (0.6amp load from what I've seen). Take the battery to Napa, Autozone, etc, and have them test it.

If the car will not jump start, the problem is not the battery.

[h0ldem_8o8]

I changed the starter out, as well as the oil seperator and breather hose piping, and crankshaft sensor for preventative measures and convenience. The car starts up just fine. The old starter was the cause of the problem. It had something loose inside when i shaked it.

[KeepRidingDirty]

Originally Posted by h0ldem_8o8

I changed the starter out, as well as the oil seperator and breather hose piping, and crankshaft sensor for preventative measures and convenience. The car starts up just fine. The old starter was the cause of the problem. It had something loose inside when i shaked it.

Glad you got it sorted out, when I was a broke college student I used to start my car with the clutch because my starter was broken. I just always parked on a hill facing down, when I wanted to start it just turn the car on let it roll in 2nd and pop the clutch, I did this for about a month before I could afford a used starter for $100. Stupid starters.