assistance needed with car not starting

[flat out]

hi guys

i need some help with my car not wanting to start its a 2005 E90 320d

when trying to start the car it does not want to turn over everything goes dead

i have checked the battery and it seems to be fully charged little green ball indicator showing on the top of the battery.also the problem is not constant.

for example this morning before leaving for work the car started with no problem but once i switched the car off and tried to start it 30mins later it refused to start

i would just like some suggestions as to what the problem could be before i take it away

thanks in advance

 

[Krin]

hi guys

i need some help with my car not wanting to start its a 2005 E90 320d

when trying to start the car it does not want to turn over everything goes dead

i have checked the battery and it seems to be fully charged little green ball indicator showing on the top of the battery.also the problem is not constant.

for example this morning before leaving for work the car started with no problem but once i switched the car off and tried to start it 30mins later it refused to start

i would just like some suggestions as to what the problem could be before i take it away

thanks in advance

When you say everything goes dead, do you mean you get no lights at all on the dash? Does your central locking and alarm still work?

 

[flat out]

all other things are working central locking, dash lights,lights,radio and alarm

the car will attempt to start with one swing and the it does not swing at all

 

[Krin]

all other things are working central locking, dash lights,lights,radio and alarm

the car will attempt to start with one swing and the it does not swing at all

I'm thinking its starter motor related? :thinking:

 

[flat out]

i was thinking along the same lines

i guess im just looking for some confirmation of that

so that the auto electrician do not give me the run around and want to bill for things that aint broken

thanks for the help

 

[Ralf*]

get a multi-meter

check voltage when car is not running,
check voltage when car is running (alternator re-charging)

normal voltage should be around the 12.8v (but will still start if voltage is as low as 12 volts)
Whilst running the alternator should be charging, and you should read around the 13.5 volts maybe more

after a drive (30 minutes you say) immediately check the static voltage and it should be more than before you went on the drive, in my car I can realize a gain in static battery voltage of around 0.5 of a volt (ie 12 volt before driving vs 12.5 volts after a 1/2 drive)

this will indicate
1)your alternator is replenishing your battery
2)your battery is capable of receiving this charge and storing it

quick cheap fault finding before going down the road of starter motor replacement, alternator replacement etc

 

[Krin]

i was thinking along the same lines

i guess im just looking for some confirmation of that

so that the auto electrician do not give me the run around and want to bill for things that aint broken

thanks for the help

No sweat. Hope you come right :thumbs: