No start this morning

[johnqpublic99]

Hi All,

I had a problem this am as my 02 4.6is did not start. Last night as I went to leave, I turned the key and there was a pause (like 3 long seconds) before the starter turned the engine... so I put it on the battery tender when I got home. This morning, with the battery on full charge, when I turned the key, there was nothing... no attempts to turn the engine... no clicks from the solenoid. I don't know if it's the starter itself or if it's something electronic.

What do you guys think?

DF

[TwinsPoppa]

Well, if you're positive the battery is good then look at possible bad connections/wiring to the solenoid and starter. Another thing might be a fuse or relay - I'm not familiar which number they would be or their locations.

If its getting power then I would think its either the solenoid or starter itself.

[X-Pilot]

Try a different key. I had this same issue, towed it to my indie and he asked if I had my second key. I had my GF bring me the key and it fired right up. Not sure what caused the key to go bad but it still will not work to this day. To be clear... the key will remote lock / unlock so I know it is charged... just won't start the car anymore. Something about communicating with the EWS?

Good Luck!

[swissfrank]

Originally Posted by X-Pilot

Try a different key. I had this same issue, towed it to my indie and he asked if I had my second key. I had my GF bring me the key and it fired right up. Not sure what caused the key to go bad but it still will not work to this day. To be clear... the key will remote lock / unlock so I know it is charged... just won't start the car anymore. Something about communicating with the EWS?

Good Luck!

+1 sometimes with a low battery the rolling part of the key and EWS can become out of sync.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

If all the above suggestions don't work, you can try to tap on the starter with a metallic objet (hammer, steel tube...) while someone holds the key in the 'starting' position. If it starts, the starter is due for a rebuild.
Just be carefull no to put that metallic object on the + terminal though.

[TwinsPoppa]

Here's how to reprogram a key.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...ob-bmw-x5.html

[swissfrank]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Here's how to reprogram a key.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...ob-bmw-x5.html

Good link, however, this only programs the remote and not the transponder chip containing the rolling code. The fix the rolling code part of the problem you actually need a EWS editor.

I had this problem on my seven series.

I didn't mean to hijack, To the OP any status updates?

[johnqpublic99]

Thanks for the replies guys... seems I'm fighting two problems... the original one mentioned in the first post is now resolved (tried a different key and it works now) but I have caused a new problem.

Here's what happened since my OP:

After reading numerous posts in the archive that a common problem was the ignition switch, I went to the dealer that night and picked one up. When I got home, and before swapping the ignition switch, I tried my original key one more time... no go... but for no apparent reason, I turn on the radio. I then take the key out but the radio keeps playing... WTF!!! Anyways I think nothing of it at the time and turn my attention to the ignition switch. I unplug the battery and proceed with replacing the switch... when it's all back together, I try it again with the original key, no change.

Later that night I receive an email with an update to this thread about trying another key and I run out and try it and the X fires up... woohoo!!! I'm thinking the problems are done... I lock up the truck, wait 10-15 minutes to make sure it goes into sleep mode, and it does. I'm thinking I'm good to go in the a.m.

In the a.m., to my surprise, the battery is drained... I do get the tick-tick-tick from the solenoid with the new key so it's a different problem. I put the battery on charge (it an Odyssey PC1700 BTW) jump on the bike and go to work as I let the battery charge all day.

Once I get home, I'm confident that once I put the battery on the tester/ put it under load it will fail and I'll just buy a new battery... but to my surprise, it passes with flying colors...

Fully charged and back in the X, verified that sleep mode occurs again, I go to sleep and sure enough, this morning, battery is drained again.

Will verify if there is a draw on the battery this weekend and start pulling fuzes to find it... starting with the NAV/radio...

**sigh**

If I did miss anything, I do appreciate the suggestions

DF

[TwinsPoppa]

While you're at it I would have the battery checked/tested anyways.