2005 330ci cannot start.. battery ok!

BMW_7 · 06-24-2011, 03:55 PM

What could be the issue?

The crappy tire guy said battery is fine.

Car does not start, I had trouble starting for a week, it just clicks.
And second, no noise coming from the engine bay when the car is on. Could the alternator be so shot that it's not making any noise??\

I have trouble believing the alternator can fail at 120,000 km on a 6 year old car..

maybe, its just the voltage regulator, and alternator is OK??

thanks for any advice

cormier · 06-24-2011, 04:30 PM

Just clicks or does it crank?

And I'm assuming trying to jump it makes no difference?

BMW_7 · 06-24-2011, 04:33 PM

Jumping it starts it obv, but after driving will not start again.

You are correct it does not crank.. I figure the alternator and voltage regulator replacement is best bet. A quick search on E46fanatics reveals many alternator issues..

Renboy · 06-24-2011, 04:36 PM

Battery. If it starts with a boost, and runs as long as you need it to, then won't start again, it's the battery. If it had anything to do with the alternator then it would start, and would only run for a short while then stall once the battery was out of juice.

Brian325is · 06-24-2011, 04:37 PM

Do you have a voltage gauge in the car? If the car starts with a jump and the gauge shows a positive indication while driving the battery is probably toast

cormier · 06-24-2011, 04:38 PM

Ohh true I was thinking no cranking and if it wasn't jump-able probably starter issue -- that's where my electrical knowledge ends :p

Good luck!

BMW_7 · 06-24-2011, 05:33 PM

I had some time and I decided to take the alternator out (wow, new cars, everything comes off like butter)

I am spinning the alternator and its very quiet, everything is squeaky clean. I've seen some busted e36 alternators with bearing noises and whatnot. What do you think, take it to get it rebuilt?

The crappy tire guy couldn't be lying, it was reading 16.5v

Michel · 06-24-2011, 05:37 PM

I had the same problem with my E46 last year; I took the battery for testing at canadian tire and they said it was fine. After some back and forth I just bought a battery and fixed all my problems lol.

noodles101 · 06-24-2011, 06:09 PM

i had this problem in my E46 , .. . . idunno if its the same problem for u .

but for me , it was because the bolts that wre holding the battery in the trunk were loose.....lol

BimmerGuys · 06-24-2011, 06:34 PM

Starter, fuse etc

Why do you call the tire guy "crappy"

Renboy · 06-24-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerGuys

Why do you call the tire guy "crappy"

... new guy

He was referring to the place of employment not the actual person. Canadian Tire, aka, Crappy Tire.

BimmerGuys · 06-24-2011, 07:49 PM

Roger that

blakneto · 06-24-2011, 07:59 PM

Never take your car to Crappy Tire...
It will just lead to more problems and more confusion.

BMW_7 · 06-24-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakneto

Never take your car to Crappy Tire...
It will just lead to more problems and more confusion.

never took the car there..

Renboy, you may be right after all. update:

-engine bay terminal shows 14.3 volts
-battery shows 13ish volts

taking the alternator out was pretty much useless.. except! I found out that the spring tensioner was very jammed...a few yanks fixed that. and that i might as well replace the belt while everything is off.

I need the battery load tested so ill do it tomorrow

Eurostyle · 06-24-2011, 11:43 PM

First thing first; the no start (but clicking) is caused by low voltage. The cause of this is mostly two things; bad battery or bad alternator. Both are very easy to test with some basic tools (less then $50) at Princess Auto. You can get it and will do a load test on the battery, and will test the charging system.

If both tests are OK, but problem still here, it might be what happened to my friends wife E36 few weeks age; battery was brand new, alternator was checked and OK (at idle), but car kept dying after driving for some time. Problem was the alternator not charging at HIGH RPM. New alternator fixed all problems!