2001 X5 4.4i Won't start
 

Hi guys, long time lurker...I think this is my 1st post. My 2001 X5 has full battery voltage, the starter has been checked and is fine, the alternator is also fine. When you go to start her, it will just "click". I have had this fixed twice before. The first time, the guy said that it had something to do with the anti theft immobilizer, so he disabled it, and it worked for a while, but then re-verted back to what it was doing before. I take it to someone else, and they took apart the rear battery assembly, and said they found a bad connection and that she is all good to go. Well 3 months later she does the "click" again while I'm fueling up on my way to Whistler with a car full of people. Now I loaded up the back with skis, snowboards,boots and luggage, and figured maybe all that weight and a few speedbumps had loosened the bad connection. I unload everything...jiggle a few wires near the battery and WOW it's a miracle she starts!!! Another 2 weeks later and I'm back to her not starting...doing the same "click" sound. What in the heck could it be??? It's back at the place that found the connection problem, but they can't seem to find the problem again...I do have a small leak coming in the passenger side rear door window(my regulator broke,,,and i zap-strapped the window 97% of the way up.) Could this be contributing to the issue, as it looks as though the wires run up underneath the passenger side floor? And don't forget..although the window is up 97% I live in vancouver where it rains like crazy....Thanks for the help guys!

I think all the conditions and 'remedies' you have described have nothing to do with the actual problem.

I have the same intermittent condition on my '01 4.4 UK model. Every now and again it won't start-just a 'click' and nothing (ie no turning over) from the starter motor. I turn the key back, then to 'start' again and he fires up without issue.

IMO I think we both have a sticking starter motor. Which I will put up with as it only happens once in a blue moon, and I won't replace until it dies.

my 02 4.4 does the click thing maybe once every other month. like isam, it starts next time i turn the key so i dont worry.

Mine will not start no matter how many times I try....Is there anything I can do to fix this? Tap on the starter with a wrench or something??? Do you guys think I may need a new starter? Because every time I jump start it when this problem occurs, it fires up perfectly!

if jumping it works. maybe you should have your battery and charging system tested.

Welcome to the forum!

If jumping it works, I agree with the post above, suspect the battery. You need to have it load tested, and see what load it can hold. If it is original, it is definitely time to replace it.

Starter motors aren't common failure points. And jumping it wouldn't make a difference.

One additional thing to consider is the ignition switch, it is a fairly common failure point. Do a search, you will see lots of posts on it.

:iagree: Sounds very much like your battery is the contributing factor if jumping enables you to start the vehicle. Its obviously not holding enough amps to crank the starter...

Take their advice and get your battery checked out. :thumbup: