Hard to start... Not the battery

RedSox330i · 11-13-2013, 02:08 PM

Hey all -
Since the weather has begun to cool off it's becoming more difficult to wake my car up in the morning to head to work. I assumed that it was due to a weak battery so I had it replaced yesterday but when I went to start it this morning I ran into the same problem. I got the dreaded, click-click-click, rather than the engine turning over. I pushed the button a second time and it fired up but I don't know how long I want to play roulette with this beast and have her leave me stranded. Does this sound like the starter to you guys?

Miller335 · 11-13-2013, 02:16 PM

In the context of other cars it sure does sound like the starter.

Still new to BMW's so I can't say for sure though.

fazman · 11-13-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSox330i

Hey all -
Since the weather has begun to cool off it's becoming more difficult to wake my car up in the morning to head to work. I assumed that it was due to a weak battery so I had it replaced yesterday but when I went to start it this morning I ran into the same problem. I got the dreaded, click-click-click, rather than the engine turning over. I pushed the button a second time and it fired up but I don't know how long I want to play roulette with this beast and have her leave me stranded. Does this sound like the starter to you guys?

Please tell me you kept your old/original battery (If you didn't... please call up the place and see if they still have it and if you can BUY IT BACK. You can have them do a DEEP cycle charge on the old battery just to keep as a spare)? Do you remember what the spec's were on the label on the top of the original car battery? Was the original battery plastic housing white in color or black in color?

Old/Original Battery label specs:
AH:
RC:
CA:
CCA:

Can you provide a link to which battery you replaced it with?

Did you register the new battery?

Mardio · 11-13-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller335

In the context of other cars it sure does sound like the starter.

Still new to BMW's so I can't say for sure though.

+1

///M3NACE · 11-13-2013, 03:20 PM

It can be a loose connection I would check if its put on perfectly. I would then drive to autozone and check if its your alternator. If thats not it then your starter is on its way out. A starter at an INDY is around 5-600 with labor. A battery is around 150-250. I hope you got it registered if your planning on keeping it. Do a search the dealer or reputable bmw shops can do this.

smallseafishie · 11-13-2013, 04:09 PM

Sounds like a bad starter solenoid, bad starter (dirty brushes) or you have electrical poor contacts somewhere.

GoRomeo · 11-13-2013, 04:22 PM

If you had the original battery is a good idea to get a new one anyways, but if you already replaced your battery and issue still going us most likely your starter.

DId you make sure you replace it with same battery and batt specs? If your battery was white make sure is an acid lead one and not AGM kind.

If it was black then most likely is AGM. registration is needed.

norsairius · 11-13-2013, 05:27 PM

I was going to say that it's normal (at least as far as I know) to have longer cranks when the weather is cold out, but the way you described it with clicking, that's another issue...

Otherwise seems like others are offering good advice. Subscribing just for general info and to learn more.

Frenk · 11-13-2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Please tell me you kept your old/original battery (If you didn't... please call up the place and see if they still have it and if you can BUY IT BACK. You can have them do a DEEP cycle charge on the old battery just to keep as a spare)?

wtf

fazman · 11-13-2013, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Sinister_

Easiest way to check the alternator is unplug the ground while car is running and if it turns off its the alternator

I was told that on all modern cars after 1990, this is a very bad thing to do.

- Faz

mike3000fl · 11-14-2013, 12:03 AM

clean the terminals

Miller335 · 11-14-2013, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

I was told that on all modern cars after 1990, this is a very bad thing to do.

- Faz

Ya don't do that on a modern car let alone a newer BMW.
Buy a multimeter and get to testing instead of doing a test that you would do on a 1957 chevy.

chromisdesigns · 11-16-2013, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Sinister_

Easiest way to check the alternator is unplug the ground while car is running and if it turns off its the alternator

Here, I fixed your statement for you:

"Easiest way to **FRY THE ELECTRONICS** is unplug the ground while car is running and if it turns off its the alternator"

Bimmertech113 · 11-17-2013, 07:12 AM

DO NOT unplug the battery with the engine is running. It causes voltage spikes up to 20 volts. You will kill modules in your car. Get a voltmeter. Most likely your starter is going out or you have a shit battery. Small chance of having a bad connection somewhere.

RedSox330i · 12-02-2013, 01:55 PM

Here's a little update on my situation. The battery was replaced by BMW so yes, it's registered but that wasn't the problem. The hard starts came and went for the last two weeks until yesterday... when my starter finally shot crap. I had it towed to a local shop that specializes in german cars and they verified what I already knew. I thought about attempting the replacement myself but I don't really feel like ripping apart my car only to find myself in over my head. Cost out the door is ~$800 parts and labor. I'm sure that it's far better than I would have fared at the dealership.

buffalony · 12-02-2013, 02:07 PM

Im in the same boat as you man, although im going to attempt it myself, a starter can be had for like 160ish from advance auto...

my car slow cranks in the cold am but always does start.

maf330xi · 12-16-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffalony

Im in the same boat as you man, although im going to attempt it myself, a starter can be had for like 160ish from advance auto...

my car slow cranks in the cold am but always does start.

Same. Starting to get really long cranks during the cold. It didn't start 1 time, but I waited about 20 minutes and it started up!

I'll start shopping for parts. I've already changed the spark plugs, does anyone know what else I should change while I have my mechanic replace the starter?

fazman · 12-16-2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Sinister_

Its not. think about it when you start your car it runs on the alternator using the belts and motor to keep the car going not the battery. The battery is used for the initial start up of the car and if needed any little juice the alternator isn't giving such as when someone upgrades their stereo. And im not saying drive around the block and check if your car dies

if its the alternator it will shut off right away.

Can you post up a youtube video of you doing this on your car? I want to see how this is done

_Sinister_ · 12-17-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Can you post up a youtube video of you doing this on your car? I want to see how this is done

Don't Do This to Your Car

Eddien123 · 12-17-2013, 12:51 PM

When mine clicked it was the starter.

fazman · 12-17-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Sinister_

Don't Do This to Your Car

Your a good man charlie brown!!

11-13-2013, 02:08 PM	#1
RedSox330i New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Fresno,CA iTrader: (0)	Hard to start... Not the battery Hey all - Since the weather has begun to cool off it's becoming more difficult to wake my car up in the morning to head to work. I assumed that it was due to a weak battery so I had it replaced yesterday but when I went to start it this morning I ran into the same problem. I got the dreaded, click-click-click, rather than the engine turning over. I pushed the button a second time and it fired up but I don't know how long I want to play roulette with this beast and have her leave me stranded. Does this sound like the starter to you guys?
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11-13-2013, 02:16 PM	#2
Miller335 Colonel 291 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	In the context of other cars it sure does sound like the starter. Still new to BMW's so I can't say for sure though.
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11-13-2013, 03:20 PM	#5
///M3NACE Banned 168 Rep 3,900 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E36 Vert , E90 N52 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downers Grove, IL iTrader: (5)	It can be a loose connection I would check if its put on perfectly. I would then drive to autozone and check if its your alternator. If thats not it then your starter is on its way out. A starter at an INDY is around 5-600 with labor. A battery is around 150-250. I hope you got it registered if your planning on keeping it. Do a search the dealer or reputable bmw shops can do this.
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11-13-2013, 04:09 PM	#6
smallseafishie Colonel 110 Rep 2,017 Posts Drives: AW 07 e92 335i + AW 11 X5 35d Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (13) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Sounds like a bad starter solenoid, bad starter (dirty brushes) or you have electrical poor contacts somewhere.
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11-13-2013, 04:22 PM	#7
GoRomeo Brigadier General 962 Rep 3,848 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	If you had the original battery is a good idea to get a new one anyways, but if you already replaced your battery and issue still going us most likely your starter. DId you make sure you replace it with same battery and batt specs? If your battery was white make sure is an acid lead one and not AGM kind. If it was black then most likely is AGM. registration is needed.
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11-13-2013, 05:27 PM	#8
norsairius Foodie and Gearhead 101 Rep 733 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xDriv ... [9.50]	I was going to say that it's normal (at least as far as I know) to have longer cranks when the weather is cold out, but the way you described it with clicking, that's another issue... Otherwise seems like others are offering good advice. Subscribing just for general info and to learn more. __________________ 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, Deep Sea Blue w/Oyster Interior
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11-14-2013, 12:03 AM	#11
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	clean the terminals
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11-17-2013, 07:12 AM	#14
Bimmertech113 Private 2 Rep 68 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	DO NOT unplug the battery with the engine is running. It causes voltage spikes up to 20 volts. You will kill modules in your car. Get a voltmeter. Most likely your starter is going out or you have a shit battery. Small chance of having a bad connection somewhere.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-02-2013, 01:55 PM	#15
RedSox330i New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Fresno,CA iTrader: (0)	Here's a little update on my situation. The battery was replaced by BMW so yes, it's registered but that wasn't the problem. The hard starts came and went for the last two weeks until yesterday... when my starter finally shot crap. I had it towed to a local shop that specializes in german cars and they verified what I already knew. I thought about attempting the replacement myself but I don't really feel like ripping apart my car only to find myself in over my head. Cost out the door is ~$800 parts and labor. I'm sure that it's far better than I would have fared at the dealership.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-02-2013, 02:07 PM	#16
buffalony New Member 0 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: buffalo ny iTrader: (0)	Im in the same boat as you man, although im going to attempt it myself, a starter can be had for like 160ish from advance auto... my car slow cranks in the cold am but always does start.
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12-17-2013, 12:51 PM	#20
Eddien123 Colonel 1849 Rep 2,553 Posts Drives: F30 335 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	When mine clicked it was the starter.
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