Is it possible to test the starter w/o removing the intake manifold on a 2007 N54? My 335xi decided to no-start last night while in a parking lot at a local store. I thought it was just a dead battery as the window on the BMW battery was black rather than green and after a while connected to a running vehicle w/jumper cables it started again. Oddly however the headlights didn't dim at all when trying to start last night which may have been a clue there was more going on.
I replaced the battery today as I think at least one cell was dead due to the inspection window being black. While all of the electronics come on and I can move the gear selector there is no clicking from the starter at all when trying to start. There is a general hum (fuel pump?) for a couple seconds and that is all.
I'm hoping I can get a multimeter on the starter to see if power is being sent to it or if I am hitting some other kind of ignition interrupt. Or the hammer test.
Thanks in advance.