[GUNN IT]

I believe my starter died yesterday. It cranked rough the first time i tried it (but did not start), i thought the battery was low, I put it on battery tender, tried again few hours later and nothing at all, no crank either. So I'm guessing it has to be the starter.

I'm just wondering, I know back in days when cars didn't have crazy electronics, manual cars could be push started. Can that be possible for cars of today? 2006 325i 6 speed manual.

[carguy138]

Yes. I do it from time to time in my 2011 335i.

Find a bit of a hill, put it in 2nd gear. Turn ignition on (so you can see the fuel gauge level reading). Get it up to 15 mph or so and pop the clutch while giving some gas.

Have also done this in reverse but that can be sketchy and more of a last ditch effort if you are parked on a hill.


Also this is more of a trick with older cars but try lightly tapping the starter with a hammer. Sometimes a piece of debris gets stuck underneath one of the brushes, or a brush is hung up, causing incomplete contact with the commutator.

[rocky25b]

Originally Posted by GUNN IT

I believe my starter died yesterday. It cranked rough the first time i tried it (but did not start), i thought the battery was low, I put it on battery tender, tried again few hours later and nothing at all, no crank either. So I'm guessing it has to be the starter.

I'm just wondering, I know back in days when cars didn't have crazy electronics, manual cars could be push started. Can that be possible for cars of today? 2006 325i 6 speed manual.

Yes it is, that's how i ended up diagnosing my bad starter.

[gT-BMW]

Yep. My starter died at a wawa gas station without any warning. I just asked a few young guys to help me push start it in 1st gear. Took a couple tries but it worked 😅

[GUNN IT]

Great, thanks guys...

[fastboatster]

Yet another reason I’m happy I bought a manual e90. Speaking of the hills, I recently replaced a radiator which broke when I was replacing oil filter housing gasket. My car was parked on the hill where a live and it would be a challenge to get it to the spot where I could safely jack it up. Luckily, on a manual e90 you can pull the radiator out from the top, don’t need to remove any transmission heat exchangers from the bottom.

[yielo]

08 335i and this doesnt work if the car is dead dead.
i was having an alternator problem and experienced this before changing it out with a new one.
If there is no electrical when you put key in or push start 1 time (foot not on clutch) this does not work. you need dash lights.

[dab1981]

Originally Posted by yielo

08 335i and this doesnt work if the car is dead dead.
i was having an alternator problem and experienced this before changing it out with a new one.
If there is no electrical when you put key in or push start 1 time (foot not on clutch) this does not work. you need dash lights.

+1 on needing power. I tried with no luck when my battery completely died.

[e90yyc]

Call me old fashioned, but why not plug in a scan tool/INPA/ISTA and see if there is a code for the starter?

Don’t get me wrong—it’s possible there isn’t one and your starter is still to blame, but I’d think it’s worth a check.

[SSW]

Originally Posted by yielo

08 335i and this doesnt work if the car is dead dead.
i was having an alternator problem and experienced this before changing it out with a new one.
If there is no electrical when you put key in or push start 1 time (foot not on clutch) this does not work. you need dash lights.

+1 on this too but it need not be totally dead for a push start to still fail.

The battery in my MR2 died when I was out and about. The MR2 is not a heavy car but was only w/my GF in a flat parking lot. Got it going and hopped back in (a couple of times) but the car just woudn't fire up even though there was still some juice the battery (enough to turn on the radio and gauges).

Was too pooped out to continue and just called AAA. The car started right up w/a jump. Went straight home and bought/installed a new battery the next day.

[PhaseP]

Originally Posted by GUNN IT

I believe my starter died yesterday. It cranked rough the first time i tried it (but did not start), i thought the battery was low, I put it on battery tender, tried again few hours later and nothing at all, no crank either. So I'm guessing it has to be the starter.

I'm just wondering, I know back in days when cars didn't have crazy electronics, manual cars could be push started. Can that be possible for cars of today? 2006 325i 6 speed manual.

It does start, 2nd gear pop the clutch after getting some speed. Had to do it once when my starter had died at a parking lot with some help, 2006 325xi manual.
I believe it is even written on the user manual, though I had read it like 13 years ago.
If battery is fully dead, it may not start. I have a cigarette lighter usb charger with battery voltage display. I see the alternator takes over after 5 seconds or so when I start the car. It initially runs fully on battery power.


Found it online. In the user manual it is under "Tow-starting" title, towards the very end.

"Tow-starting
If the electrical system fails, do not
attempt to tow-start or tow away the car.
The electric steering wheel lock cannot be disengaged
and the car is not steerable. Jump
starting, refer to page 194.<
Do not tow-start vehicles with an automatic
transmission. Only tow-start vehicles
with a catalytic converter with the engine
cold. It is better to jump start the engine, refer to
page 194.<
1. Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2. Switch on the ignition, refer to page 49.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and slowly
release the clutch. After the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch pedal completely
again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warning
flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked."

https://www.e90fanatics.com/pdf/E90_OwnersManual.pdf

[vilord]

My starter died a couple years back at my sister's workplace when she was borrowing it, in a big flat parking lot. Between the two of us we were able to get enough speed to start it up. Drove it to autozone, parked on a hill, and went in and bought a starter, roll started it, then drove home and installed it

[GUNN IT]

Originally Posted by yielo

08 335i and this doesnt work if the car is dead dead.
i was having an alternator problem and experienced this before changing it out with a new one.
If there is no electrical when you put key in or push start 1 time (foot not on clutch) this does not work. you need dash lights.

Yes, I get everything lit up. when I press the start button, it makes the noise for about 4 seconds (not crack noise).

[GUNN IT]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Call me old fashioned, but why not plug in a scan tool/INPA/ISTA and see if there is a code for the starter?

Don’t get me wrong—it’s possible there isn’t one and your starter is still to blame, but I’d think it’s worth a check.

Yes, that's the plan for tomorrow (borrowing the scanner from my boss). If I get no readings (being it's not dedicated for BMW) then giong to have my brother do some exercise on Saturday.

[hassmaschine]

You can't start it with a dead (or no) battery because of a couple things - firstly, the CAS needs to give the DME permission to activate the injectors and coils. If that doesn't happen, the engine won't start even if the DME was powered somehow (by the alternator or something).

Naturally the fuel pump is electric, although that shouldn't stop you if there is residual pressure in the lines.

And finally, without power you can't unlock the steering wheel so trying to push start an E90 with no battery is a really bad idea.

I do like that if (when?) the starter ever failed, I won't be stranded, but if you have a totally completely dead battery - I have to believe there were warning signs ahead of time..

[Zac1209]

Just put you car at the ON position, 2e gear clutch in, you roll the car by being on a decline or someone pushing and when you reach like 7 mph and dump the clutch. Just remember to clutch in really quickly to make sure you don't stall the car.

[GUNN IT]

Yes guys, thanks, I was able to push start it, took it to Bimmer clinic, they replaced the Starter, so it was the starter.