[nicholasn]

Hi all. I have a 2011 328i coupe that has been having starting issues recently (more noticeable as the weather has gotten colder). When I turn my car on, it cranks and fires up pretty much immediately, BUT it seems like the starter won't disengage. It just keeps cranking even though the engine is firing, and makes a sort of screeching noise. If I apply a bit of throttle, sometimes that will get the starter to quit cranking and screeching, but other times it continues to crank/screech for a few seconds before the car shuts off. Usually when this happens I'll try to start it again and it typically fires right up, but yesterday it took several attempts before the car finally started and the starter actually disengaged. Once the car has fired up successfully, I don't have any issues restarting later it if I'm out running errands or something like that.

I am guessing it is either the starter or the high pressure fuel pump. I replaced all spark plugs and ignition coils a few months ago so I don't think it's any of those.

Anyone have any suggestions or words of advice?

[e91Owner]

Don't assume that it is the high pressure fuel pump. Assuming that your 328i doesn't have an N53, N54 or N55 that you put in yourself, it doesn't have one.

Check the codes to see if it's anything obvious. Check the grounds on the engine, both visually and electrically. If neither of those produce any clues, it's probably the starter.

[whyzee125]

That's your starter. As mentioned above, N51/N52 doesn't have an HPFP and that is not an HPFP symptom. It's just getting lazy to disengage from the flywheel. I would replace it sooner rather than later as you don't want to have to pull the trans if any teeth get damaged.

[nicholasn]

Thanks guys. It has the original engine in it so good to know about the HPFP. Been watching a few videos of starter replacements and it doesn't look too bad, so I'll try to knock it out in the next week or so.

[e91Owner]

Originally Posted by nicholasn

Thanks guys. It has the original engine in it so good to know about the HPFP. Been watching a few videos of starter replacements and it doesn't look too bad, so I'll try to knock it out in the next week or so.

I guess that's about the life of a starter in that MY range. Replaced a 2010 and a 2011 in the last few months.

One tip… a 10mm or 11mm spanner (can't remember which one) works great to take the rear facing bolt off. The actual replacing of the starter is a matter of a few minutes.

[nicholasn]

Finally found some time yesterday to install the new starter. Took me a while to figure out how to untangle the intake manifold from all the hoses and wires, but once I got that out it went pretty smoothly considering I was basically flying blind in someone else's garage lol. Starts right up now!

[2one3E90]

Its most likely starter, only 335i has a high pressure fuel pump