WDS application

[sneary]

UPDATE...so just picked the X5 up from shop today. Their diagnosis says that the starter and cables going to starter are good. They couldnt do the proper tests to see what was drawing the fuse to blow and recommended me to bring to dealer and if the dealers tests confirm a faulty stater then they would warranty it out. They did however get the X5 to start by jumping the fuse so in my mind that cancels out the ews module. What Im thinking before I hand it over to dealer is to check the ground cable to engine to chassis. I asked shop if they performed that and they said no. Whats your thoughts on ground strap and which side of motor is that located?

[wpoll]

Not sure where the ground cables run - will look them up.

But I can't see the ground cables being the issue. A disconnected or faulty ground cable will REDUCE the current through the start assembly, not increase it.

If jumpering F105 allows the car to start then you can only conclude that the starter assembly is drawing more than 60A and therefore blowing F105. And it's shouldn't be drawing enough current to blow F105.

It HAS to be a faulty starter solenoid, despite what the shop said. Nothing else can cause your issue.

Sounds like they are trying to dodge a claim. What brand and model of starter assembly did they fit?

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by wpoll

If jumpering F105 allows the car to start then you can only conclude that the starter assembly is drawing more than 60A and therefore blowing F105. And it's shouldn't be drawing enough current to blow F105.

It HAS to be a faulty starter solenoid, despite what the shop said. Nothing else can cause your issue.

[sneary]

bosch ....thats what I told them I thought the starter solenoid was no good. Definitely wont use this shop again. They did however say if dealer comes to conclusion that the starter is the cause then they will warranty the part.

[wpoll]

We aren't there to check this ourselves vs. the shop which has had the car, so we *could* be wrong but logic dictates that this fault is either a faulty starter solenoid or the wrong model starter solenoid.

Maybe they fitted a part meant for a Mack truck or something...?!

[sneary]

I have tomorrow off so Ill have time to tinker around it. Any tests you can think of i should try before shipping it to the stealer? Lol

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by sneary

I have tomorrow off so Ill have time to tinker around it. Any tests you can think of i should try before shipping it to the stealer? Lol

If you have and can use a DMM (Digital Multi-Meter) you could try measuring the resistance of the starter solenoid coil i.e. the resistance to ground from X6510.

It will need to be a meter that can read very low resistances, as the resistance of the solenoid coil will be a fraction of an ohm - at 12.6v it takes a load of 0.21ohms to draw 60amps. If your solenoid coil is greater than 0.21 ohms, it's ok - lower than 0.21ohms, it's either faulty or the wrong part.

This is a very general test, as the actual current drawn in an inductive circuit will depend on more than just the DC resistance, but it's a start.

(An inductive circuit is usually one that includes some form of coiled wire - like in your starter solenoid coil.)

[wpoll]

And here's a good description of how these suckers work...

http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/strtctr.pdf

If you aren't well-schooled on electrickery, this might be over the top but hey, it may help.

The key takeaway is that typical engagement currents on starter solenoids is about 35amps - well short of the current required to blow F105. Something is sucking a LOT more current down that line...

[sneary]

Yeah I have a DMM so Ill try that test out. Thanks for all your input I really appreciate it! I have basic knowledge on electric so for the most part I understand the pdf you sent.