4.6is starting problems......

[M3 SOY]

Having searched the forum, and I may guilty of missing something, so apologies in advance if I have, but nearly every time I start the car it fires up as normal, but as the engine fires, I get a brief almost grinding type noise, similar to the sound you would get if you tried to turn the engine over when it's already running.

This problem orignally occurred when cold starting, but now does this nearly every start, even if the engine is warm.

I'm guessing it could be the starter motor, but not sure, and it certainly doesn't appear to be a common problem. That said, if it is the starter motor, is this a straightforward DIY or is it time to get raped by the stealer??

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[chilliwilli]

Grinding sound at startup = starter. Don't need dealer for this....you can purchase starter elsewhere and if you're not comfortable installing, have a reputable indy install.

[rares]

did u fix the starter ?.....I do have now the same problem now, also I have 4.6is and this model have an automatic starter diferent than 3.0 for exemple.thank u!

[antharding]

If anyone can reply to this I would massively appreciate it. I have an intermittent problem with my 2002 4.6 is and it sounds very similar to the one you describe above. Sometimes when i go to start the car it just makes a loud thud/bang. As if something has jammed. I personaly think its the starter motor but the local garage (who are very good and a BMW specialist) say the starter seems fine. on top of this, when the car does start (normally when cold in the morning) it starts and then there is this nasty and quite loud whirring/grinding as though the starter is still spinning even though it has already started the engine. Does anyone have a good idea what this may be? I'm tempted to bite the bullet and just pay to have a new starter but really dont want to do this if it might be a starter relay or something else as the car is costing me a fortune already. Many Thanks in advance for any help. Ant