» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 03-23-2010, 05:37 AM | #1 | Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South St. Louis, MO Posts: 60 | Replaced bad starter and still nothing So now what? After a hell of an ordeal getting the upper and lower intake manifold off and out of the way we had direct access to pull the starter and get it tested. Test concluded that it was shot so I picked up a replacement at the auto parts store, it was late by then so we figured we'd reassemble the following day (today). Hooked everything back up, no wire left unplugged and no bolt or screw left as I'm meticulous about organizing as I pull parts off. Turned the key and get a clicking on some relays and the lower dash is pulled for both passenger and drivers side, one of the smaller relays clicks on the drivers side (not the longer Starter Immob. one). The radio says CODE on it and I tried to put in the code, several times with one my wife said was in our owners documentation (not sure where she got the number, it was not right as I found the right one after trying several times to put in the wrong one). Could this be keeping the EWS in check and not allowing the car to even crank? I did read in the Owners Manual that if the incorrect code is entered that the key & radio need to remain on for one full hour before the code can be re-entered properly. Hopefully somebody knows whatever it is I may be overlooking (or forgetting) as I'm anxious to get her back on the road. | | | 03-24-2010, 04:39 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Earth Posts: 178 | did you test the new starter? Don't think the radio code would have anything to do with EWS.. | | | 03-25-2010, 03:35 AM | #3 | Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South St. Louis, MO Posts: 60 | Yes, the starter was tested at the parts shop, I am confident that it's something else that may have been fried with the starter somehow. | | | 03-25-2010, 03:57 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Earth Posts: 178 | Sure the wires went on right? And no blown fuses? | | | 03-25-2010, 04:45 AM | #5 | Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South St. Louis, MO Posts: 60 | Wires went on like they came off and no visible blown fuses, don't smell any burnt up relays either. It's a mystery for sure. | | | 03-25-2010, 10:46 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 274 | Are you getting power to the starter? Whip out the test light and start figuring out where power is making it to and you should eventually find the problem. I am betting either ignition switch or something with the immobilizer? | | | 03-25-2010, 12:54 PM | #7 | Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South St. Louis, MO Posts: 60 | Quote: Originally Posted by chudzikb Are you getting power to the starter? Whip out the test light and start figuring out where power is making it to and you should eventually find the problem. I am betting either ignition switch or something with the immobilizer? | Starter is getting power as well as the ignition, we broke down the lower dash on both sides and the bottom part of the steering wheel assembly. Tested the back of the ignition and it's getting power as well. I'm still leaning towards immobilizer, I've read a few places that this can be bypassed, of course it removes a layer of theft protection but if I could temporarily bypass it I could rule that out or find my issue. Can anyone confirm a temporary bypass solution? | | | 03-25-2010, 02:07 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 274 | I ran into a similar issue on an old B-4 Passat, replaced the starter (which I was told was shot) and nothing. It turned out to be the alarm control module. It was a relay box set off by the correct signal coming from the ecu. Looked at it, considred replacing, then found the thick wires that were for the starter, stripped and spliced, never had another problem. Just went around it. I have no idea where this is on the BMW, but, there has to be a way... | | | 03-26-2010, 07:15 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Earth Posts: 178 | Ah, not sure but I would search for '95 EWS information as I thought there was a way to bypass EWS-1.. (you've probably ready) I have ews-ii so I don't remember any specifics sorry.. If it is the immobiliser, maybe you can reset it by locking and unlocking the doors with the key or something like that? Dunno.. good luck! | | | 04-26-2010, 06:51 AM | #10 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: HOUSTON,TX Posts: 14 | check the grounding of the motor(engin) to the car> sometimes rust or even if its a bit loose the car wont start. | | | 05-14-2010, 03:26 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,093 | ever figure out the problem ? mine will not turn over and im thinking its the immobilizer but i have a 96 m44 and idk where its located.. __________________ was the 1 an only Bagged Ti on 19's!! | | | 05-14-2010, 04:27 AM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: maritimes Posts: 1,433 | Dguzz, more symptoms... is the starter turning? just not "catching"? did you just replace it? etc __________________ 11/97 Base 328Ti | | | 05-15-2010, 04:31 AM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Earth Posts: 178 | not a weak battery from sitting too long is it? Seems odd immobilisers would be so much trouble...Guess they work too good! though I wouldn't think you would hear clicking.. like if you stall the engine and try to restart without turning key off.. there is no clicking..? | | | 05-15-2010, 05:22 AM | #14 | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 | If you guys have manual trannys, check the clutch switch. | | | 05-15-2010, 05:39 AM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gilbert Posts: 621 | manually connect power to the starter? solves half of my starting problems at work lol. ok well only had to do it on one car but try that. disconnect the connectiong and run a wire from + bat terminal to the + on starter. easiest way to pass immobilizer. __________________ *IF ITS FAST AND CHEAP, ITS NOT RELIABLE* *IF ITS CHEAP AND RELIABLE, ITS NOT FAST* *IF ITS FAST AND RELIABLE, ITS NOT CHEAP* | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |