2005 e53 3.0 d - sluggish start - starter or IVM?

Google44 · #1 09-04-2015, 11:20 AM

Yes, needs to be done under the car. Very easy. Disconnect the main supply under the bonnet in top right corner. After that remove all plastic at the bottom - hardest bit. You got then 2-3 bolts on starter and cables at the back.

I think starter must have 11 tooth. Try it out before you fit it in. it has to spin easy. You will see the difference to the one you remove. My old one did not want to spin on small battery at all! it felt like it was in short!

Good luck

Lamby · #2 10-21-2016, 09:30 AM

Hi - Also have a very slow to start X5, poss 5-6 revolutions before it leaps into life. I have done a amp draw test and I its pulling will over 450, not the recommended 180. I will get a new starter and fit it.

Can I ask, I know that BMW upgraded the starter in 2005. I believe they went from Denso to Bosch? Is this correct? I am based out of London so I will go to EuroCarParts for a new starter.

StephenVA · #3 10-21-2016, 09:39 AM

Starter draw in AMPs

Should be under 250 AMPS period. Anything over 200 is either bushings going bad or it is trying to compress water.

Note: Gas engine.
Oil burners will always be a higher amp reading (50-60 amps) due to compression differences.

You can read the draw at either the starter or at the battery as the source is the battery at engine off/starter engaged.

All you need is have all of the ground wires leading from the battery terminal inside the amp gauge clamp. At the starter you need the LARGE wire inside the clamp and then set the meter to amps DC voltage. Pull the fuel pump relay and Crank for 15 secs and read the stored number. Highest is the number you need. SIMPLE.

Youtube video example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2nPHWNoDSA

NOTE: This test requires a fully charged battery battery to be an effective test.

Lamby · #4 10-24-2016, 10:27 AM

Cheers, good info. However... just my luck... weather has turned cold in UK and the starter has given up. Currently my X5 is in a supermarket car park. I will have to get it towed to a garage and sorted now. Damn it, I was hoping to do the work myself.

Lamby · #5 10-25-2016, 05:45 AM

Hi everyone update on this.

I dont what to bother everyone and also there is another post on here from Chucklez about Battery/Alts that are similar so if the admin can combine?

Anyway. RAC (Breakdown recovery to my US brothers) turned up... Got the X5 started just.... Ran a full diagnostic not using ECU but just on the terminals on the engine. Turns out Battery is serviceable, but its a cheap one and told me to buy Varta, Excide or Bosch in that order and not to be cheap on it. Only buy the 5 year versions as well. I had a Lion Battery that is a year old, it says premium on it, however no guarantee and when he had to select the battery make from the impressive looking RAC Diagnostic Equipment, of course, my cheaparse battery was not even on there. So chose 'Other'.

Turns out, that as well as getting a better battery, the diagnostic report came back with a open diodes in rectifier assembly causing a battery leak and if the car was not driven every day a number of miles then over time this will happen.

So new Alternator it is for me, dropped it off to the garage and I am going to get that sorted by them. I will buy a better battery and fit that myself. Maybe a Varta S5.

Any advice on this?

omodos · #6 10-31-2017, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamby

Hi everyone update on this.

I dont what to bother everyone and also there is another post on here from Chucklez about Battery/Alts that are similar so if the admin can combine?

Anyway. RAC (Breakdown recovery to my US brothers) turned up... Got the X5 started just.... Ran a full diagnostic not using ECU but just on the terminals on the engine. Turns out Battery is serviceable, but its a cheap one and told me to buy Varta, Excide or Bosch in that order and not to be cheap on it. Only buy the 5 year versions as well. I had a Lion Battery that is a year old, it says premium on it, however no guarantee and when he had to select the battery make from the impressive looking RAC Diagnostic Equipment, of course, my cheaparse battery was not even on there. So chose 'Other'.

Turns out, that as well as getting a better battery, the diagnostic report came back with a open diodes in rectifier assembly causing a battery leak and if the car was not driven every day a number of miles then over time this will happen.

So new Alternator it is for me, dropped it off to the garage and I am going to get that sorted by them. I will buy a better battery and fit that myself. Maybe a Varta S5.

Any advice on this?

Hi there ever get this sorted? did you do the starter as well? I don't have a rectifier leak as you mention, as amp draw when car is asleep in just to the high end of the acceptable range.....

BUT amp draw on starting tops 400a..all ok when weather out here is warm, but as temps drops starting gets worse to the point where on one to occasions have drained batt and have had to connect ctek charger to it and then good to go...have changed battery and had it tested and all ok was told

Lamby · #7 11-03-2017, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omodos

Hi there ever get this sorted? did you do the starter as well? I don't have a rectifier leak as you mention, as amp draw when car is asleep in just to the high end of the acceptable range.....

BUT amp draw on starting tops 400a..all ok when weather out here is warm, but as temps drops starting gets worse to the point where on one to occasions have drained batt and have had to connect ctek charger to it and then good to go...have changed battery and had it tested and all ok was told

Yes, so it was two things, Alternator did have open diaode however only the most fancy laptop plugged in detected it as it was a very low amp leak over long time and also my battery cable running from rear battery terminal to front under the hood was shot and corroded, needed a new cable. All in, new Varta 5 battery, new alternator and new OEM Battery cable it cost be £560 with labour.

Hope that helps.

deepblonde · #8 10-21-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamby

I will get a new starter and fit it.

Can I ask, I know that BMW upgraded the starter in 2005. I believe they went from Denso to Bosch? Is this correct? I am based out of London so I will go to EuroCarParts for a new starter.

No, for the diesel they didn't change to Bosch starters until the e70.