Re Non starter ( Now Fixed !!!)

w1ndsurfnut · Post by **w1ndsurfnut** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:34 pm

So a few months back my son brings the z4 back with a cracked expansion vessel. It's auto 2.5L. so pushed it about 10 m with car in neutral ( didn't want to run it with no fluid.) Waited for parts etc . Did the fix. Now it is not starting. Battery is good. Car lights up the dash but no noises from the starter. Not even a click from the starter motor. Just about to run drags but hoping it is not some weird thing where the EWS( is that right ) unit does not recognise the key. Any thoughts. Bit strange as this car has always fired up with no issue. Thanks in advance .Paul

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:43 pm

From experience, the EWS stops the fuel pump running but still allows the engine to crank.
I assume you have done the usual 'percussive adjustment' of the starter to see if it will free it off?
Still thinking starter motor first though.

colb · Post by **colb** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:48 pm

Starter motors fail without any advance warning, happened to me. A few clouts with a hammer did bring it back to life but it died after a few test starts. Replaced it with an RTX Starter from Carparts4less and that has worked faultlessly since.

w1ndsurfnut · Post by **w1ndsurfnut** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:56 pm

Appreciate the quick response guys. Thanks. Will update later..

w1ndsurfnut · Post by **w1ndsurfnut** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:04 pm

Update. Took the starter out and bench tested it. All ok. Put it back in the car. No start but this might be because my battery voltage was only just above 10 volts. Still didn't get any clicking though from the starter. Can help thinking something weird has happened when the battery went flat while waiting for the radiator parts.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:22 pm

Bench test may not be reliable. In the car the solenoid uses a small voltage to engage the pinion, then the full voltage whacks in to spin it. On a bench you have no resistance in the pinion.
Just saying don’t discount the starter

w1ndsurfnut · Post by **w1ndsurfnut** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:33 pm

Update. Help needed Urgent as I have a French MOT due on Wednesday. I hear what you are saying Snuff zed, but I am getting no click of the solenoid. So further tests today comparing my 2 cars. End result is when the ignition I turned to start the car I have no voltage on the solenoid wire. The Large cable has permanent 12v on it. No voltage on turn of key on small wire to soloniod. other car starts and obvs I have voltage on there on start. Ive check what I think is the right fuses or any that could be associated with start. No blown fuses. Would really appreciate some ideas. Is this a weird alarm disable problem do you think or am I over thinking it. Not sure what to do now and MOT booked for Tuesday.FFS

Lytesben · Post by **Lytesben** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:38 pm

Have you considered the ignition switch? Might be worth a look?

w1ndsurfnut · Post by **w1ndsurfnut** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:40 pm

Lytesben wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:38 pm Have you considered the ignition switch? Might be worth a look?

Im beginning to think this might be my problem. Just trying to figure out testing for this. Thanks Lytesben.

w1ndsurfnut · Post by **w1ndsurfnut** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:38 pm

So as some of you suspected. It was the ignition switch. Took one out of the working Z4 and switched it. Fired up first time. Thanks for the comments and the help. A happy Paul from Cognac, S W France.

Lytesben · Post by **Lytesben** » Mon Apr 08, 2024 6:05 pm

w1ndsurfnut wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:38 pm So as some of you suspected. It was the ignition switch. Took one out of the working Z4 and switched it. Fired up first time. Thanks for the comments and the help. A happy Paul from Cognac, S W France.

Oh good, glad you got it sorted. I had an inkling it might have been that

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