E36 Won't start... HELP!

[Rompsku]

Hey guys

So I can't get my E36 328i to start up. :argh:
Happened about an hour ago.

I started the car up 6am this morning without any problems. I let her warm up for about 5 minutes before pulling her out of the garage and into the drive away, just a few meters. Switched her off and went back to bed.

Now, at 9am, I started her up again and she started fine, but there was a HUGE sucking sound coming from the engine. Seriously, like there was a vacuum machine hidden under the bonnet. I popped the bonnet and the sound seemed to come from the driver side of the engine, around the intake.

I turned the car off... but the sucking sound kept going!!! :fencelook:

After about 3 minutes, the sound started to die down and eventually went away. But now the car won't start.

All lights come on, windows, etc, working fine. But no spark. Nothing at all when turning the key.

So, what does this sound like?
Any advice would be great.

Was about to go to the dentist... got a tooth that's killing me and need to get it out asap.

PS: This happened out of the blue. Didn't get any battery, or check engine lights or anything. Been riding the car all week and have not had a single problem.

 

[racing snake]

off the top of my head the only thing that could cause the sucking noise from the drivers side of the engine bay might be from the brake booster... but that shouldnt stop the car from starting, would normally only result in a high idle speed...

now you say there is no spark? did you check that or was it just a guess? no spark might be from a faulty crank sensor but then your injectors wouldnt work either... or maybe the battery is discharged as this can also interrupt the spark as the voltage to the coils is too low..

feel free to give me a call if you like, maybe i can point you in the right direction that way... 083 273 1840 - shaun

 

[Blue Shirt]

Vacuum leak from the intake rubber boot? Check for splits in the rubber boot or a pipe that got dislodged somehow.

 

[Rompsku]

It's the starter guys.
Car starts up fine after a push downhill.
But doesn't crank at all.

So now, what should I check before replacing the starter. Loose wires? Fuse or relay? Any common causes for the starter to suddenly pack up?

Was working fine up until this morning, had no problems whatsoever before. So find it strange that it would suddenly decide to pack up.

 

[beezo003]

Could also be fuel pump,listen to hear if the fuel pump is making a noise when swinging it,and first thing check fuses

 

[Ram3on]

I had the same happen to a starter on a E46! Drove it, worked fine, then next time tried to start and nothing! Replaced the starter and all sorted! Can't say what caused it......sometimes things just pack up

 

[Rompsku]

It's not the fuel pump, car runs fine once we give it a push start. Just can't get it to crank at all. I turn the key and there is absolutely no sound from the starter. Checked all wires and connections to starter and all seems fine.

What fuses/relays should I check? Fuel pump works fine. I can't find any mention of a starter fuse or relay anywhere.

Please guys, really need help with this one. Otherwise I'll jsut have to bite the bullet and get a new starter. But how the hell do I replace it? It's in a really crappy position. Seems the entire intake manifold has to come off.

 

[beezo003]

But does the fuel pump make a noise,because I had a problem like that once and it was fuel pump,it

 

[Ram3on]

It's the starter.......believe me!! Best to remove it from below.....much easier if you have the car on a lift !!

 

[Rompsku]

Thank guys, decided to just replace the starter.

 

[Flash-Gordon]

where did you get a starter and what was the price?:fencelook:

 

[Rompsku]

Got one on Gumtree for R400. Haven't gotten around to replacing it yet though.

 

[Rompsku]

Hey guys, quick question.
Do all E36 use the same starter? I know they come in a pre-'96 and post-'96 variants, but it's there a difference between a 328i starter and a 318i starter?

Need to know asap please. Have googled, but can't find anything online. Just info about the 2 different types depending on year, but nothing on different types depending on model.

Got a 318i starter to replace mine (328i), but need to know if it will actually fit before I get to removing the intake.

Thanks