Timing belt changed now engine wont turn over.

[eddybear]

Just done a mini service on my 320i. Changed filters, oil, belts and water pump. Its all back together but when you turn the ignition nothing happens. Its as if its immobilized or something.

My friend did the same service on his 325i a few weeks ago and he helped me do mine. He said the only difference was that he disconected the battery.

Any ideas guys?

I thought maybe crank position sensor? but it seems ok.

[eko]

So do you have ignition lights?
Do they dim when you turn the key to start?

[E30BeemerLad]

is it not even trying to turn over?

[eddybear]

Yeah i have ignition lights. I can't say i noticed them dim, but i did notice the rev counter fly up to 1000rpm as i try start the engine.

Doesn't turn over, and cant hear starter solanoid clicking.

[bigwinn]

Have you replaced the crank sensor?

[eddybear]

no just removed it to do the job and then bolted it back on. This is what i thought it might be, but i had a look and gave it a clean, but still nothing doing!

Theres nothing that needs restting or anything is there?

[cypriot_boy_2k7]

This might sound daft but how did u do the cambelt and did you lock it into position when you did? Maybe its still locked, check you battery voltage? And does the engine even turn or just the starter click

[Grrrmachine]

What happens when you bridge pins 11 and 14 of the Diagnostic plug?

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ostic_Plug

That should directly operate the starter without the key, ignition loom or any immobiliser affecting things. If the engine swings over, then your problem is with the black/yellow wire somewhere in the cabin. If it doesn't work, then you've affected something with the wiring between the battery, starter motor and/or alternator.

[bigwinn]

I shagged my crank sensor by trapping the wire in the oil filter housing when I re tightened it... Although it would still turn over if this was the case...

You haven't knocked the battery terminals off or any of the HT leads?

Stu

[eddybear]

Ahhhhhh! The lad who helped me said when he swung the alternator out of the way he thought it might have caught some wiring. I'll try that tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks for the replys guys, much appreciated.

[eddybear]

Replaced the plugs too, so i have had the ht leads off.

Wouldnt it still try and turn over if a ht lead was disconnected?

[Grrrmachine]

It would crank even if the crank position sensor and all HT leads were disconnected; it just wouldn't be very happy about it, and an unloaded coil might discharge back and fry the ECU, so it's not recommended.

Try the diagnostic plug test and report back.

[eddybear]

Ok Grrr, cheers.

[Brianmoooore]

Reconnecting the battery has possibly activated a (long forgotten?) immobiliser in the start circuit.
Try the diagnostic socket starter pins.

[eddybear]

Just tried linking 11 and 14 and nothing happened. I'll have a look at the wiring now.

[eddybear]

Sorted! The battery was dead!

How come the ignition lights still come on even when the battery is dead?

Thanks for all the help fellas

[Grrrmachine]

The ignition lights are tiny 1.2W bulbs; the starter motor is a massive 1.4kW unit, so effectively it takes 1000 times more power to driver the motor than the lights.