e36 325tds

[essop1@gp]

Hi all,

New here and have a 325tds, having some issues that i hope you guys can shed some light on. I've had to have the ignition barrel repaired as it had the spinning barrel sickness. Now that its sorted the vehicle won't start, all electronics, lights, gauges all go on as normal, you can here the fuel pump as well, but when you turn the key nothing happens.
The key does click back as normal.

Any advice on what to check would be nice.

Thanks

 

[Jandre]

I hope the electronics gurus will jump in quickly and correct me if I'm wrong, but I would guess that you have a coding issue.

Help me out here guys. Am I talking crap?

 

[Sankekur]

It would probably be a good idea to remove the key barrel and to test whether all connections that need to be made are made, though I can't comment more than that, as a I have never fiddled with that before.

 

[BMW M]

I hope the electronics gurus will jump in quickly and correct me if I'm wrong, but I would guess that you have a coding issue.

Help me out here guys. Am I talking crap?

If all connections are 100% I would also say coding between the key/barrel and car.

 

[essop1@gp]

So if it is a coding issue how would i be able to test that theory.

 

[Jandre]

I am sure diagnostics will tell you that.

Also the dealers can de-code the car for you. I had to do that when I purchased a new key for mine.

I would guess that other mechanics with the correct electronics would also be able to do that for you, but I decided to take mine to SMG BMW.

 

[essop1@gp]

And what did that cost if i may ask?
And what would cause the coding to stop working or not to function correctly?

 

[Jandre]

I didn't pay for the decoding, because I purchased a new key from them.

They key, barrel and ecu of the specific car shares a common code. Now if you replace for instance the barrel with a different one from a different car, you will have a code mismatch. Basically the key and car(ecu) shares the same code, with the ignition barrel being the odd one out. because of this the car will not start. (It immobilises the engine).

Again, this is how I understand it, and I am by no means an expert here.
I could be horribly wrong.

 

[essop1@gp]

I get your point and it makes sense, but i did not replace the barrel, it was repaired. So technically there shouldnt be any mismatches, so maybe we barking up the wrong tree, if the coding was out for instance, should the car still crank and not start, or simple just not start or swing at all?

 

[hoosain]

check the transponder pickup on the barrel
maybe its not connected after the barrel was removed
transponder chip in key and pickup in barrel must register the same signal or car wont start

 

[Jandre]

If the barrel was repaired the coding issue is maybe not the cause here. Are you sure the wiring was done correctly? Maybe the starter is not getting a trigger.

The instrumentation will still come one, but it may not send the command to the starter itself.

 

[essop1@gp]

The ring that carries the signal from the key to the computer box is connected, and i personally removed it before the barrel went for repairs, so it's not damaged either.
I will check the wiring today and check for power at the starter motor, so this looks less like a coding issue and more like wiring to the starter maybe. If maybe i kick start the car and it starts then surely i can rule out a coding issue?

 

[Jandre]

If she starts on a running start, then you can rule out coding I am sure yes.

 

[essop1@gp]

Ok cool, i will check that as well, then atleast one cause is eliminated. Is the starter motor from a 325tds same as the petrol engine starter motors?

 

[Jandre]

No idea buddy

 

[essop1@gp]

Ok the starter is defnintely getting power, i didnt get a chance to kick start the car as yet, but is there a way to temporarily bypass the EWS system to check, i know it is a security risk but i need to eliminate possible causes.

 

[essop1@gp]

I noticed something else yesterday while i was checking all the wiring, when i put the ignition on the reverse lights light up, is that a cause for concern?
I am trying to get hold of somebody who can help re-code the key as that seems the most likely issue at the moment, any help would be great.