E39 540i - Struggling to start

[mbouwer]

Hi Guys!

Still THOROUGHLY enjoying the 540i and ja.... PICTURES SOON!!!! Just PLEASE be patient!! Oh... NOT enjoying the approximate 19liters per 100km lol!! But I think I'm a bit heavy still...

OK!! NOW THE PROBLEM AND REASON FOR THIS THREAD!!!! For the last couple of days sometimes when I wanna start up - NOTHING!! The battery obviously works because all the lights etc comes on and bla bla but only after the 3rd or 4th time it starts.. It is worse in the mornings. But ja any ideas?? Maybe the old Alternator issue?!?!!

 

[E39 Ian]

First run diagnostic codes, in this way the car will tell you hopefully where the problem lies:thinker:

It may be the battery itself, it does not take much power to have the lights on, but to swing the motor is something else. Check also that your battery is big enough. Battery Center's chart indicates an 80AH, I managed to find a re-con one slightly more powerful just in case cause my baby has many many electrical goodies - 658 100AH for R400, which I had load tested - performed like a new one and fits perfectly , new will cost you around 1400. Check Gumtree in your area.

If it was the camshaft position sensor then it would start on key turn but take many revolutions to get going, not repeated starting. Replacement cost - Stealers only R1117.00 SMG Century City, everywhere else R1300 - 1600.

Thats my exp on the subject, hope it helps. :wave:

 

[clutchplate]

more likely crank sensor I reckon, but its prolly not even that.. Ian is right, get codes read and then check whats up. these cars have very clever electronics ...


I'm using willards 658 at the moment ... highly suggested..

 

[Raybimmer]

Two cents of info :
Battery ? Think not as it starts after a few tries .
Starter solenoid ? Could be
Ignition switch ? Maybe contacts wearing out .
Crank sensor ? Also think not , should not stop engine from swinging , would expect dodgy idle if sensor malfunctioning .
658 battery is 100 AH , 352 mm long , 175 mm wide and 190 mm high .

 

[clutchplate]

ah ok.. so it doesn't even crank ?

ok, do this.. you have a steptronic so you should have the auto start module..

hold the key in the start position for about 4-5 seconds and see if it cranks then.. cause it could also be EWS module or key screwing around...

just try it and check what happens ...

 

[mbouwer]

Thank for advice guys!

Seems like it is the ignition contacts that are wearing out. Spoke to a guy called JOhnny who was supposedly BMW workshop manager here in Bloem. Says it will cost me R750 (including labour) to have it fixed. Fair deal??

 

[Tefo]

i've had a similar problem with my e46 320,especially in the morning's,i would start the car two to three times,then last last week we changed the petrol filter now the car starts on 1st key.thats my two cents worth.

 

[clutchplate]

say what ? 750 to clean ignition contacts ? dude, if he's talking about the rubber piece between the ignition coil and the sparkplug, then it will be as easy as making a sandwich.. if you have a size 10 or 11 socket, a wrench and a flat screwdriver, then you can do it yourself for free

I somehow HIGHLY doubt this is what the problem is tho. my 94 model E34 540 has almost 300K on it, and starts instantly. and still has original everything as far as coil packs and those contact sections go..

and even then 750 seems high, rather take your ones out and check what condition they are in..

 

[mbouwer]

OK... took the car to Dynotek in Bloem... THEY say it is the Ignition lock. Part price = R 1 240.00 + vat.

 

[clutchplate]

jislike, thats heavy... its probably just the little electric position switch part behind the ignition barrel. you could prolly pick this up from Bemow's in PTA for like 100 bucks. but unfortunately your in bloem...

dude, go dig in the scrapyards first.. R1240 is really heavy ...

 

[mbouwer]

Hey// Is an "ingnition lock" and an "ignition swithc" the same thing???

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because Sparezboys have an ignition switch for R450+vat

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urm ok... I see.. it is NOT the same thing.

 

[clutchplate]

dude, I can't see how its the ignition lock. must be the switch... but hey. if those guys tell you its the ignition lock, let em fix it. and if it still does it afterwards, just tell them they said it was that, and they must fix it now. not gonna pay more..

in my mind, it must be the switch..

 

[mbouwer]

ANOTHER guy who took a loook says no the switch and all that is fine... it is the KEY that is faulty. It needs a rebuild... :dunno:

 

[P1000]

Well then, try the spare?

 

[mbouwer]

aaaaaaaaaaaaahhh SHIT man.... I DON'T HAVE A SPARE!!!!!! :banghead:

 

[P1000]

Then buy a spare and test it. Do you only have one key? Then you need a spare anyway, just in case.

 

[mbouwer]

but ja the buy was a good deal though!! :thumbsup:

 

[clutchplate]

lol, I can't understand why these guys keep saying different things. It woulda been cool if you were in jhb, then the bmw guru's could take a look..

 

[Raybimmer]

Clutchplate , now some guys will realise why us guys that are not in JHB or CT battle . :bawling:
I have replaced the electrical switch and wires behind the key barrel on a previous bm , the barrel and key normally are ok .
Is this a coded key , if not have a spare key cut .Worked on my E36 .
Scrapyards in Bloem - try find bm parts there scarce !!:wave:

 

[clutchplate]

lol, yea.. PE is just as bad. probably good that I'm moving back to jhb this month.
yea, your right tho, only makes sense for it to be the switch/wires...

lol, there are scrapyards in bloem.. not many, but there are some at least