Car doesn't start. Here are the symptoms

Carnivore · 10-24-2015, 09:22 AM

My e90 2006 doesn't hard start.

When I press the clutch/brakes and hit start I don't hear anything from the engine but a whirling noise from the rear. My suspicions are it could be a faulty fuel pump.

Also my brakes are hard to press down so I tried to put the car into gear but still no ignition.

NoPwrOvrMe · 10-24-2015, 09:29 AM

Is it at least cranking? Could also be the starter. It's about that time it should be going out

PichaDis11 · 10-24-2015, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnivore

My e90 2006 doesn't hard start.

When I press the clutch/brakes and hit start I don't hear anything from the engine but a whirling noise from the rear. My suspicions are it could be a faulty fuel pump.

Also my brakes are hard to press down so I tried to put the car into gear but still no ignition.

Have the car scanned for codes if you can. Have the Battery checked as well. Has it ever changed since you had the car?
The next to check is the starter.

Three_thirty_I · 10-24-2015, 10:39 AM

We need some more detail though. Is it actually cranking the engine, but then not firing? Or is it not turning the engine over at all? Any warnings on the cluster?

Carnivore · 10-24-2015, 10:23 PM

No warning signs on the cluster. I do not hear the engine turning over or firing.

Efthreeoh · 10-25-2015, 06:11 AM

The whirling sound is good because that means the fuel pump is working. So what it sounds like to me is the '06 could have an issue with the brake booster, which prevents the brake pedal from fully disengaging the starter lockout switch (to prevent starts in gear). You can search on here and get the details for what the fix is.

Three_thirty_I · 10-25-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The whirling sound is good because that means the fuel pump is working. So what it sounds like to me is the '06 could have an issue with the brake booster, which prevents the brake pedal from fully disengaging the starter lockout switch (to prevent starts in gear). You can search on here and get the details for what the fix is.

That makes sense. If it was a weak battery it would try to start, then when it fails to, the cluster will be shouting error messages - I know, had a bad battery and this happened a few times!

Carnivore · 10-26-2015, 04:03 PM

I tried a couple things. I removed the fuel pump wire and tested the voltage when starting - it had the same voltage as the battery.

Next I thought the battery was dead/low so I had someone jump it - it did not start the car (engine did not turn over).

Next I tried to see if there was adequate pressure from the fuel pump - video below.

No matter what I do, I always get this result below. Nothing appears on the cluster, engine does not turn. Only sound comes from the fuel pump. When I start I have the clutch in and shifter in neutral.

Meeni · 10-27-2015, 02:39 AM

If the starter doesn't even move, it looks like you have a problem with the starter, or the cabling between the battery and the starter (in car accessories continue to work if that cable is disconnected).

And you have the battery symbol in, could be that simple, get the battery tested, it's free at most auto chains.

Carnivore · 10-27-2015, 07:42 AM

The battery symbol is on because I've been trying to start the car for a couple minutes without it starting

PichaDis11 · 10-27-2015, 09:45 AM

The fuel pump noise you are hearing is normal. You car does this repeatedly as apart of the "readiness" feature. IE. Fuel is pressurized awaiting the signal for engine start and a host of other activities.

Here you seem to have a faulty starter. I experienced the same symptoms. Car worked fine an hour or so before that and the starter just went.

I see that you are located in NY, PM me if you'd like assistance with this.

Carnivore · 10-27-2015, 12:15 PM

I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be the starter as those are more expensive to fix.

My car was working fine before although once a week, I would experience this symptom but it would turn on just fine after a couple on/off attempts.

Do you really think it is a faulty starter? I'm from the capital city region of NY.

PichaDis11 · 10-27-2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnivore

I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be the starter as those are more expensive to fix.

My car was working fine before although once a week, I would experience this symptom but it would turn on just fine after a couple on/off attempts.

Do you really think it is a faulty starter? I'm from the capital city region of NY.

Yup those are the symptoms of the starter failing. Luckily you had signs and I didn't. There is a way to test with a breaker bar, by hitting the starter a few times and then trying to start. You's listen for a click or engine turning over.

The starter is actually not that expensive; a remanufactured one that is. I'd more to hope it wasn't a fuel pump than anything. The starter is just tucked away neatly making it hard to get to.

Unfortunately you are much ways out from me down here in the city boroughs.

Carnivore · 10-27-2015, 10:14 PM

Thanks for offering to help!

I don't think it's the fuel pump as the video I've provided showed adequate amounts of fuel being pressurized?

Carnivore · 10-27-2015, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

here is a way to test with a breaker bar, by hitting the starter a few times and then trying to start. You's listen for a click or engine turning over.

How hard do I hit it? Do I hit it a couple times, get in my car and try and start it?

GoRomeo · 10-27-2015, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnivore

How hard do I hit it? Do I hit it a couple times, get in my car and try and start it?

Have someone start the car whilw you hit the starter. It will start right up once u hit it a couple of times. Regardless u need to replace starter. I belelive there is a youtube video, just search starter issues 335 bmw.

Good luck and cheers!

7786 · 10-28-2015, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnivore

How hard do I hit it? Do I hit it a couple times, get in my car and try and start it?

Here's a good video showing you how to do just that:

Three_thirty_I · 10-28-2015, 08:01 PM

Reminds me of this. But if it works it works!

Carnivore · 10-28-2015, 10:16 PM

Is it mandatory that I remove the 8mm screw before hitting the starter with a rod?

Abax335 · 10-28-2015, 10:32 PM

I was going to say the same thing whack the starter and try and turn over at the same time with a second person.

I use a metal hammer and long pry bar to do this.

Avoid the solenoid, aim for the motor body. Also try not to arc it.

Carnivore · 10-29-2015, 01:30 PM

Update: I tried the technique the video instructed me to and my car started up!

I removed the cowl cover and hit the starter with a rod a couple times then started the car up by myself. That video saved me a towing trip! The car is out to an independent mechanic right now and was quote for $550 for parts and labor.

GoRomeo · 10-29-2015, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnivore

Update: I tried the technique the video instructed me to and my car started up!

I removed the cowl cover and hit the starter with a rod a couple times then started the car up by myself. That video saved me a towing trip! The car is out to an independent mechanic right now and was quote for $550 for parts and labor.

Ur welcome!!

10-24-2015, 09:22 AM	#1
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Car doesn't start. Here are the symptoms My e90 2006 doesn't hard start. When I press the clutch/brakes and hit start I don't hear anything from the engine but a whirling noise from the rear. My suspicions are it could be a faulty fuel pump. Also my brakes are hard to press down so I tried to put the car into gear but still no ignition.
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10-24-2015, 09:29 AM	#2
NoPwrOvrMe Your Master. 37 Rep 268 Posts Drives: 16' Charger SRT, 07' G55 AMG Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	Is it at least cranking? Could also be the starter. It's about that time it should be going out __________________
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10-24-2015, 10:39 AM	#4
Three_thirty_I Lieutenant Colonel 200 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: '05 E90 330i Manual Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	We need some more detail though. Is it actually cranking the engine, but then not firing? Or is it not turning the engine over at all? Any warnings on the cluster? __________________ BMW E90 330i (M) '05 (His) \| (Hers) BMW E46 320i f/l (M) '03
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10-24-2015, 10:23 PM	#5
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	No warning signs on the cluster. I do not hear the engine turning over or firing.
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10-25-2015, 06:11 AM	#6
Efthreeoh General 17309 Rep 18,733 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	The whirling sound is good because that means the fuel pump is working. So what it sounds like to me is the '06 could have an issue with the brake booster, which prevents the brake pedal from fully disengaging the starter lockout switch (to prevent starts in gear). You can search on here and get the details for what the fix is. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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10-26-2015, 04:03 PM	#8
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I tried a couple things. I removed the fuel pump wire and tested the voltage when starting - it had the same voltage as the battery. Next I thought the battery was dead/low so I had someone jump it - it did not start the car (engine did not turn over). Next I tried to see if there was adequate pressure from the fuel pump - video below. No matter what I do, I always get this result below. Nothing appears on the cluster, engine does not turn. Only sound comes from the fuel pump. When I start I have the clutch in and shifter in neutral.
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10-27-2015, 02:39 AM	#9
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	If the starter doesn't even move, it looks like you have a problem with the starter, or the cabling between the battery and the starter (in car accessories continue to work if that cable is disconnected). And you have the battery symbol in, could be that simple, get the battery tested, it's free at most auto chains.
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10-27-2015, 07:42 AM	#10
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	The battery symbol is on because I've been trying to start the car for a couple minutes without it starting
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10-27-2015, 09:45 AM	#11
PichaDis11 Colonel 295 Rep 2,202 Posts Drives: E90 N52 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	The fuel pump noise you are hearing is normal. You car does this repeatedly as apart of the "readiness" feature. IE. Fuel is pressurized awaiting the signal for engine start and a host of other activities. Here you seem to have a faulty starter. I experienced the same symptoms. Car worked fine an hour or so before that and the starter just went. I see that you are located in NY, PM me if you'd like assistance with this. __________________ Retrofits: 322, 609, 6FL, 6NR, 6VC, 2TB.. Upgrades: Bilstein B8 Eibach Spring kit
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10-27-2015, 12:15 PM	#12
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be the starter as those are more expensive to fix. My car was working fine before although once a week, I would experience this symptom but it would turn on just fine after a couple on/off attempts. Do you really think it is a faulty starter? I'm from the capital city region of NY.
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10-27-2015, 10:14 PM	#14
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Thanks for offering to help! I don't think it's the fuel pump as the video I've provided showed adequate amounts of fuel being pressurized?
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10-28-2015, 08:01 PM	#18
Three_thirty_I Lieutenant Colonel 200 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: '05 E90 330i Manual Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	Reminds me of this. But if it works it works! __________________ BMW E90 330i (M) '05 (His) \| (Hers) BMW E46 320i f/l (M) '03
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10-28-2015, 10:16 PM	#19
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Is it mandatory that I remove the 8mm screw before hitting the starter with a rod?
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10-28-2015, 10:32 PM	#20
Abax335 Lieutenant 79 Rep 540 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335xi 6spd Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Orange/Rockland iTrader: (1)	I was going to say the same thing whack the starter and try and turn over at the same time with a second person. I use a metal hammer and long pry bar to do this. Avoid the solenoid, aim for the motor body. Also try not to arc it.
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10-29-2015, 01:30 PM	#21
Carnivore Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 2006 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Update: I tried the technique the video instructed me to and my car started up! I removed the cowl cover and hit the starter with a rod a couple times then started the car up by myself. That video saved me a towing trip! The car is out to an independent mechanic right now and was quote for $550 for parts and labor.
	Appreciate 1 Quote