[jo555]

Hi guys, got a problem with my 2010 318i. Few days ago in the morning it was not starting. It was turning over at first then it was completely dead. just a clicking noise when pressing the start button.

Recovery came, tried to jump start it but to no avail. So towed it to the garage who had a quick look and he is saying he tried to manually turn the crankshaft to check if its an engine problem and said it only turns a few inches and also the timing chain is slack He will have a proper look next week.

Could it be the engine has seized up? Really worried as to what it could be.

[nsjames]

I really doubt the engine is seized if it turned over with the starter before it died.

my money is on starter failure. I just replaced mine in the spring. It died without warning in a manner similar to what you've described.

[jo555]

Originally Posted by nsjames

I really doubt the engine is seized if it turned over with the starter before it died.

my money is on starter failure. I just replaced mine in the spring. It died without warning in a manner similar to what you've described.

Really hope thats the case, just the part when he said he couldn't manually turn the crankshaft scares me lol

[Greyhurst]

Has he taken out the spark plugs to test turning it over? might just be a bit stiff

[jo555]

Originally Posted by Greyhurst

Has he taken out the spark plugs to test turning it over? might just be a bit stiff

Im not sure, will ask tomorrow. If he did take them out and it only turned a couple inches would that mean the engine is seized?

[Greyhurst]

Well looking at your original fault to me it sounds like a starter fault, It's very very very very unlikely that your engine is seized if the starter was turning it over before it won't just spontaneously seize. then you described a clicking noise that is the starter motor solenoid engaging with the flywheel however the motor itself isnt working. if you look at a diagram of a starter motor it has a solenoid to enagage and the motor. so that sounds like a starter motor fault to me. and if he turned it over without spark plugs in and it didn't move it's not necessarily seized. something on the accessory belt or chain drive may be seized. I don't know exactly what is driven by the engine on your car but anything attached could be stopping it being turned by hand. Personally it sounds like maybe an accessory somewhere is jammed and it's causing the starter motor to work very hard that's burnt the motor out and now he's struggling with the same hope that helps.

[Yuriflying]

I replaced my starter yesterday on 2007
328i and it started perfectly the 1st try,
but would not start the 2nd time. I can hear the click in the engine when attempting to start it and I have all lights & the battery is good. The starter is reman from NAPA. Any ideas?
UPDATE: I had my wife sit inside the car to start it and I used a bar to tap on the starter as she was attempting to start....The car starts every time as long as I'm tapping on the starter. Would this indicate a bad starter?

[ryan stewart]

Id be questioning that mechanic if he tells me that crap in the original post. Its OBVIOUSLY the starter, would would be pulling the cover to check timing chain slack?

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by Yuriflying

I replaced my starter yesterday on 2007
328i and it started perfectly the 1st try,
but would not start the 2nd time. I can hear the click in the engine when attempting to start it and I have all lights & the battery is good. The starter is reman from NAPA. Any ideas?
UPDATE: I had my wife sit inside the car to start it and I used a bar to tap on the starter as she was attempting to start....The car starts every time as long as I'm tapping on the starter. Would this indicate a bad starter?

that or a poor connection.

[Yuriflying]

Originally Posted by nsjames

that or a poor connection.

Thanks

[Yuriflying]

I have an update, I swapped out the starters and now I have a Bosch on the car and the car started strong about five times and now I'm getting the same thing, click sound and NO start....Help!

[Yuriflying]

I have an update, I swapped out the starters and now I have a Bosch on the car and the car started strong about five times and now I'm getting the same thing, click sound and NO start....Help!

[Yuriflying]

I have an update, I swapped out the starters and now I have a Bosch on the car and the car started strong about five times and now I'm getting the same thing, click sound and NO start....Help!

[nissubaru]

Do you have a manual transmission? My car sometimes will not start unless I kick/push the clutch down and then press the button. It doesn't happen frequently but when it does I can press the start button all day long and it won't turn on. As soon as I give the clutch pedal a good solid kick and press the button again it starts up as if nothing was ever wrong. I do get a message on the dash though telling me to push the pedal in, so if you aren't seeing this then you have a different issue.

Also, what is your battery situation? Do you know how much of a charge your battery has/had? You could have just drained the battery while doing all the diagnostics and turning the car on/off.

Just a guess. I would make sure the battery is charged and then try again.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by Yuriflying

I have an update, I swapped out the starters and now I have a Bosch on the car and the car started strong about five times and now I'm getting the same thing, click sound and NO start....Help!

Make sure your grounding straps are in good order, unfortunately it also might mean the connection AT the starter as well.

[mecheng77]