[gchild]

Hello all.

posted a similiar question on the UK forum, but need to widen the scope of experience and responses before i tear my hair out!

so, i picked up my used e90 325i 2005 aroudn 2 weeks ago and started fine for around 3 days. Then i found that after being left overnight, it wouldn't start in the morning. Lights, iDrive everything worked, but nothing when pushing the start button.

I since changed the battary thinking it was on way out, but the same issues occurred next day. I dropped back to the car dealer (not BMW), and they supposedly fixed it. Picked up yesterday, worked fine, then this morning same thing happend - car did not start.

I'm new to BMWs so is there something i'm doing wrong as part of the start up routine:

- car in Park
- stick key in
- press foot brake
- push start

Does the handbrake need to be on, seat belt on, door closed? The car can be jump started fine first time.

Any help appreciated

[gchild]

Anyone?

[3s4u2]

Sounds like a new started could be in order. Not a real easy fix, the intake manifold has to be removed to get to it.

[Brad from the OC]

The starting problem can also be caused by an intermittant brake pedal switch that senses when your pedal is depressed and when sensed, it powers up the starter when the start button is pushed. Also it can be an intermittant steering wheel lock solenoid. The solenoid should give you an audible click sound when you insert your fob.

[gchild]

Originally Posted by Brad from the OC

The starting problem can also be caused by an intermittant brake pedal switch that senses when your pedal is depressed and when sensed, it powers up the starter when the start button is pushed. Also it can be an intermittant steering wheel lock solenoid. The solenoid should give you an audible click sound when you insert your fob.

I do find that the brake pedal is very firm - almost like its been pumped with the car off if you know what i mean. As soon as the car starts, it softens up.

if it wasn't sensing me pressing the brake when pushing start, would it flash up 'press foot brake' or something as i'm not seeing that (i don't think, but will check)

Similary, i will check the steering lock disengages. Thanks for your pointers

[Brad from the OC]

I doubt if you would get a warning if the brake pedal wasn't depressed. Try to start your car without your foot on the brake pedal and see if you get that alert. If your starter doesn't actuate when you push the start button, see if your brake light is on when your foot is pressing on the brake pedal. If the brake light is not on, it is likely that the brake pedal swith is faulty. Outside of that, if your car starts normally, then the intermittent electrical problems will not be easily found. You might have to wait until the car doesn't start.

[gchild]

Youre right No warning if you don't have foot on brake.

I think brake switch and steering is ok.

I did stick a voltmeter across the battery after a run. It was showing 12.43v. Checked it again 1hr later and was showing 12.3v. Is this normal or sign of a drain somewhere?

[Brad from the OC]

Since you're experiencing no starter crank on morning cold starts and your E90 is a 2005, I think the most likely cause of your problem is the starter has gone bad.

[gchild]

Hi Brad. Is there a way I can prove it's the starter motor that before I give up and take to a garage?

[Brad from the OC]

I don't know of any other way of proving it's the starter motor other than to remove it and test it. Usually before a starter fails, it begins to crank slower and takes longer to start your engine. But since you are a new owner, you might not know what a good crank should sound like. Unfortunately it's not easy to remove the starter as you need to remove the intake manifold to access it I believe just the starter motor alone costs around $500 plus labor if you have someone else install it. With the age of your vehicle, even if the starter is good now, it will go out soon anyways.

[3s4u2]

When you insert your key fob and you put your foot on the brake with the car in park or natural and you push the start button do you hear a click?
If you do hear a click, your starter solenoid is engaging but your starter is not turning over, most likely a starter. You might also be surprised that BMW is the cheaper way to go for a starter, in my case it was by about $280.00 cheaper, shop around. Make sure they understand the difficulties involved in the starter change.

[gchild]

Thanks. I will monitor and report back.

Such a shame as im loosing confidence in what is a very nice car!