e46 not starting

Shuabe Slamdien

New member
Hi i have e46 318i facelift while driving all my dash lights went on the car stalled but almost immediately picked up speed again this happened 3 times before it completely stalled and now it just swings but does not want to start:argh:
 
Check the voltage across your battery terminals. Could also be electrical, but I'm holding thumbs that a new battery will solve your probs :thumbs:
 

Shuabe Slamdien

New member
Funky Toyz said:
Check the voltage across your battery terminals. Could also be electrical, but I'm holding thumbs that a new battery will solve your probs :thumbs:

Thanks...but i had replaced battery 2 months ago could this still be the problem
 
Shuabe Slamdien said:
Funky Toyz said:
Check the voltage across your battery terminals. Could also be electrical, but I'm holding thumbs that a new battery will solve your probs :thumbs:

Thanks...but i had replaced battery 2 months ago could this still be the problem

More than likely not then.... Call Faizal at Siegfried Auto (0214653327). He's workshop is based opposite the GoodHope Centre and find out if he'll be able to assist. He is more mechanical so I'm not sure if he's be able to help if it's electrical related.

I'm not sure as to who is a good auto electrician to send the car to though, maybe Faizel can recommend someone.
 
Shuabe Slamdien said:
octurian said:
had similar issue, was voltage regulator (I think) on my alternator. Changed and all worked again.

Will check it out,thanks

The voltage regulator will cause the battery not to charge resulting in a flat battery. But the regulator normally gives you the battery warning light for a few seconds when the brushes are on it's way out way before that car will actually not start etc. Also the voltage across the battery terminals will be at 12V or lower if the regulator is not working. If it is working then the voltage will be around 14.5V-15V. I've driven with a faulty voltage regulator for around month before changing it.


Also you saying the car swings....is the motor actually turning over? How strong is the swing etc?
 

Shuabe Slamdien

New member
Funky Toyz said:
Shuabe Slamdien said:
octurian said:
had similar issue, was voltage regulator (I think) on my alternator. Changed and all worked again.

Will check it out,thanks

The voltage regulator will cause the battery not to charge resulting in a flat battery. But the regulator normally gives you the battery warning light for a few seconds when the brushes are on it's way out way before that car will actually not start etc. Also the voltage across the battery terminals will be at 12V or lower if the regulator is not working. If it is working then the voltage will be around 14.5V-15V. I've driven with a faulty voltage regulator for around month before changing it.


Also you saying the car swings....is the motor actually turning over? How strong is the swing etc?



It swings strong but that was last night just when it happened ...will see if my battery has run flat this evening
 
Shuabe Slamdien said:
Funky Toyz said:
Shuabe Slamdien said:
octurian said:
had similar issue, was voltage regulator (I think) on my alternator. Changed and all worked again.

Will check it out,thanks

The voltage regulator will cause the battery not to charge resulting in a flat battery. But the regulator normally gives you the battery warning light for a few seconds when the brushes are on it's way out way before that car will actually not start etc. Also the voltage across the battery terminals will be at 12V or lower if the regulator is not working. If it is working then the voltage will be around 14.5V-15V. I've driven with a faulty voltage regulator for around month before changing it.


Also you saying the car swings....is the motor actually turning over? How strong is the swing etc?



It swings strong but that was last night just when it happened ...will see if my battery has run flat this evening



When you get home, before you try starting, take a Volt meter and measure the voltage across the battery terminals (while the car is off). If it is 12V then it's right.

Then start the car (if it starts) and measure the voltage again while the engine is running. It should now read around 14.5V-15V and NOT 12V or anything lower.

If the car don't start, try push starting or getting someone to jump you.

If it's swinging strong, but just not starting, then it could be something else. Did you speak to Faizel at Siegfried Auto already? He is very helpful and if he can assist with possible causes telephonically, he will do so.
 

Shuabe Slamdien

New member
Funky Toyz said:
Shuabe Slamdien said:
Funky Toyz said:
Shuabe Slamdien said:
octurian said:
had similar issue, was voltage regulator (I think) on my alternator. Changed and all worked again.

Will check it out,thanks

The voltage regulator will cause the battery not to charge resulting in a flat battery. But the regulator normally gives you the battery warning light for a few seconds when the brushes are on it's way out way before that car will actually not start etc. Also the voltage across the battery terminals will be at 12V or lower if the regulator is not working. If it is working then the voltage will be around 14.5V-15V. I've driven with a faulty voltage regulator for around month before changing it.


Also you saying the car swings....is the motor actually turning over? How strong is the swing etc?



It swings strong but that was last night just when it happened ...will see if my battery has run flat this evening



When you get home, before you try starting, take a Volt meter and measure the voltage across the battery terminals (while the car is off). If it is 12V then it's right.

Then start the car (if it starts) and measure the voltage again while the engine is running. It should now read around 14.5V-15V and NOT 12V or anything lower.

If the car don't start, try push starting or getting someone to jump you.

If it's swinging strong, but just not starting, then it could be something else. Did you speak to Faizel at Siegfried Auto already? He is very helpful and if he can assist with possible causes telephonically, he will do so.



I have just spoken to Faizel he suspects it could be my fuel pump or no fuel although the guage might be showing enough this has happened before
 

Raybimmer

New member
If the motor swings it shows the battery is ok .Any alternator trouble leads to a discharged battery . You then either need spark or fuel .

If you can get to the fuel delivery pipe and loosen it brfore it goes to the injectors and have someone swing the motor while you point the pipe into a container and see if fuel comes out .

Good luck .
 

Shuabe Slamdien

New member
Raybimmer said:
If the motor swings it shows the battery is ok .Any alternator trouble leads to a discharged battery . You then either need spark or fuel .

If you can get to the fuel delivery pipe and loosen it brfore it goes to the injectors and have someone swing the motor while you point the pipe into a container and see if fuel comes out .

Good luck .

Just found out my timing chain rail guide broke hope i did not bend a valve:argh:
 
Shuabe Slamdien said:
Raybimmer said:
If the motor swings it shows the battery is ok .Any alternator trouble leads to a discharged battery . You then either need spark or fuel .

If you can get to the fuel delivery pipe and loosen it brfore it goes to the injectors and have someone swing the motor while you point the pipe into a container and see if fuel comes out .

Good luck .

Just found out my timing chain rail guide broke hope i did not bend a valve:argh:

Is this why the car is not starting?

Keep us updated and all the best with the fix :thumbs:
 
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