XSeries-forum

Hi all, in the morning when I turn the key the ignition comes on but the car won't turn over, doesn't even try. It's happened 3 times now. I've had a new starter motor fitted. Also, it can be started by clipping a wire on the back of the starter.. then after driving it seems to work normally?

The autobox seems fine and goes into park no problem. Any ideas? Must be something electrical..

Solenoid perhaps ?

Sticky solenoid would be one choice - even on a new/refurbed unit.  Though your adding a separate wire does point to something else.

Try moving the gearshift to Neutral and then see if the same fault occurs.  It might be the position sensor on the gearbox is incorrectly thinking the car is in a drive gear rather than P or N which would also inhibit the starter.

I can't remember if the immobiliser inhibits the starter if it fails to correctly read the key.  If the battery is flat then the system may not be detecting properly.

Does it lock/unlock with no issues via the remote key?

Richard

[quote="GermanWhip"]
Hi all, in the morning when I turn the key the ignition comes on but the car won't turn over, doesn't even try. It's happened 3 times now. I've had a new starter motor fitted. Also, it can be started by clipping a wire on the back of the starter.. then after driving it seems to work normally?

The autobox seems fine and goes into park no problem. Any ideas? Must be something electrical..
[/quote]

Definitely think it is important to remember that these starters whilst new once, are usually refurbished ones ......

It done it before and after fitting a new starter.. so it isn't the starter.. unless the old one and new one have exactly the same fault..

In that case you are looking at whatever feeds the solenoid.  As above it could be gearbox selector position sensor inhibiting, immobiliser inhibiting, ignition switch itself.

The gearbox selector one is something that has happened on the forum before.

Richard

Update on this, it stopped (after the garage looked over it but couldn't see anything) for over a week, but it's started happening again.

Usually in the morning, but today.. it started fine in the morning.. I drove 2 miles to the shop, came out and it WOULD NOT crank again. I tried the other key as I had this on me, nothing. The only way is to bypass the starter motor and it cranks and fires.

Any ideas? it's not the starter motor or battery. And it's only sometimes.

I've also noticed when driving the selector can be moved into neutral, is that normal? I thought it should lock in drive ..?

[quote="GermanWhip"]
I've also noticed when driving the selector can be moved into neutral, is that normal? I thought it should lock in drive ..?
[/quote]

Normal.

Do a search for ignition switch, has been known to throw some weird symptoms too. I was talking to a guy who had a 5 series who had the similar problem, turned out to be a dicky connection on the wiring loom  multiplug going to the ignition switch. Took it to BMW and they couldn't find the problem, but the garage down the road went straight too it.

[quote="Horizon"]
Do a search for ignition switch, has been known to throw some weird symptoms too. I was talking to a guy who had a 5 series who had the similar problem, turned out to be a dicky connection on the wiring loom  multiplug going to the ignition switch. Took it to BMW and they couldn't find the problem, but the garage down the road went straight too it.
[/quote]

Thanks, this is what I'm edging towards, it's SO frustrating as it is COMPLETELY random when it will happen.. so frigging annoying. 

Which suggests it is a loose wore/loose connection and depending precisely how you bypass everything (from a security point of view don't post back explaining it) then you may well be bypassing the dodgy element

Smee

A loose what? I read "loose whore" at first  ).

[quote="Bargain Bucket"]
A loose what? I read "loose whore" at first  ).
[/quote]Simlar  O:-)

or even a loose wire. Wouldn't a whore by loose dy definition anyway .... 

[quote="Smeeagain"]
or even a loose wire. Wouldn't a whore by loose dy definition anyway .... 
[/quote]

Certainly sloppy.......in need of tightening