X5 No Turnover No Start -

[OaklandJames]

Hi All, First post - !

Need assistance and advice-
Our 2004 x5 3.0 had intermittent starting issues, finally no start at all.

Back story, kid took our old 2004 x5 (w 200k miles) to college. He let the battery drain out a couple times. During and after this period, the car would not turn over, even with a jump.

Got a new battery in there. intermittent no-start issue continued. x5 would not turn over for a week, and then magically, vroom. Starts like no problem. Had a good long run of no issues and the car made it back home.

But now it will not turn over.

When I turn the key, I hear the fuel pump and I hear the click of what i think is the starter solenoid.

New battery fully charged.

I tried all three keys.

I replaced the ignition.

I got a rod in there and tapped on the starter (not easy).

I've read as many posts as i could find in this fine forum (which got me to swapping ignition), but short of replacing starter, is there any other things to try?

The only possibly relevant codes that the Schwaben throws is a DME Plausibility, Tank Fill Level" and "DME fuel Trim bank 1, permissible range exceeded".

anybody have any thoughts? or do i just crawl under there, swap and see?

cheers!

[getty150]

Originally Posted by OaklandJames

Hi All, First post - !



Need assistance and advice-

Our 2004 x5 3.0 had intermittent starting issues, finally no start at all.




Got a new battery in there. intermittent no-start issue continued.



anybody have any thoughts? or do i just crawl under there, swap and see?



cheers!

*Charge even the NEW battery.

*Try changing the ground straps under the car.

Cheers!

Sent from my TMAF035G using Tapatalk

[80stech]

Check for voltage getting to the starter using the starter as a ground reference AND while trying to crank. If that checks out then you have narrowed it down to the starter.

[andrewwynn]

Measure voltage at the starter when you turn the key like mentioned.

Intermittent non crank is often in the ignition switch. You want to rule out the starter though

[Henn28]

Sounds like the starter is a leading culprit. Mine died recently but I was hearing the solenoid click and had good power. Motor had failed. As mentioned, definitely check the voltage first before swapping a new one though. Bad grounds can cause all sorts of problems too.

If it’s a dead spot develop in the starter motor you can try to get a pry bar into the gear and turn the starter motor fractionally to get it to work again. Won’t solve the problem, but it might get you home if it is stuck somewhere.

Not sure if the starter on the 3.0 is the same Bosch unit as the 4.4, but local O’Reillys had a rebuilt one for me same day. I usually would go with FCP for a big ticket part, but I needed it as soon as possible.

Agree too that the Ignition switch is also definite possibility….and a known failure point. It’s a cheap part and a pretty easy swap if you are willing to throw a part at first.

[Clavurion]

If stranded or in a hurry the ignition switch can also be repaired quite easily. Depending on model there are 1-2 unused contacts (of total 6) which can be replaced in the line going to starter (Terminal 50).

[OaklandJames]

Thanks all-
Ignition switch has been replaced. No improvement.

I will pull off the intake gack to get access to the starter terminals and test for positive/negative charge when turning the key. Next week. Headed out of town.

Question; if the charge stays negative, that would mean the problem is above the starter, correct?

Have a great long weekend!

[Bdc101]

If you don't get 12 volts at the big wire on the starter, then yes, the problem is upstream of the starter. If you get voltage at the starter, but the starter doesn't turn, then it's either a bad starter or a bad starter solenoid (both of which are on the starter itself).

[80stech]

If you can't get to the starter to check the voltage then go the jump terminal on the firewall, it can sometimes be the problem as well.

[andrewwynn]

The point where the B+ goes through the firewall. It's a very convenient disconnect for working on starter or alternator.