E30 Zone

Ive just gone to start my car. Turned the key to ON - normal dash lights come on and fuel gauge jumps to its correct reading. Fuel pump starts. Car doesn't start..?

I have a brand new battery in the car with new terminals etc. All my electric accesories work fine..?

I called the RAA and he did his checks. It appears power is getting to the starter motor but it won't turn over. He tapped something a few times with the handle of a hammer but it made no difference..?

What do you guys think the problem might be. I ended up roll starting the car and getting myself home...

Am I up for a new starter motor or can you get them reconditioned..? Any thoughts welcome...

This is a favourite of mine.

All symptoms point to a dodgy engine earth. If you have a jump lead, connect it to the battery earth, and a good solid bit of metal on the engine.
Turn over - if it works, the earthing connection under the engine is dodgy, probably at the chassis end. Should just need disconnecting and cleaning up.

I had this, and the AA man didn't spot it either.

Alec

What exactly does happen when you turn the key to the start position?

The dash lights come on, the fuel gauge jumps up to its correct reading, the fuel pump makes noise, the electric aerial goes up, the radio plays but the car wont turn over???

you havent been meddeling with the obc and set the code have you?? i did this then forgot next day just a thort Daz

Nah, my car doesnt have an OBC fitted...

All the things you mention above happen when you turn the key to the ignition position, not the start position, so I'm assuming nothing happens in the start position.
Unscrew the cap from the diagnostic socket and short together pins 11 and 14. This should engage the starter motor, so make sure the car is out of gear and you are clear of the fan etc.
Your car's not an auto, is it?

AdelaideE30 wrote:The dash lights come on, the fuel gauge jumps up to its correct reading, the fuel pump makes noise, the electric aerial goes up, the radio plays but the car wont turn over???

Do you get a click (or clunk) from the starter or is it totally dead?

I had exactly the same problem on my tourer earlier this year. I got a bit of a click, but nothing. Took the starter motor off and ran it on the ground with some jump leads and it worked fine. Put it back on the car, didn't work. Got another starter motor - did the same - worked on the ground, but not on the car. Someone tipped me off to try moving the flywheel a bit with a large screw-driver whilst the starter was off to check the engine wasn't siezed. Did this, put the starter motor back in and hey-presto - it's worked fine ever since. Still not really sure what cured it though, so this probably isn't much use to you after all!

No my car's a manual. When I turn the key to ON I can hear a faint click from the engine bay? Never mind I'm having my mechanic look at it tomorrow. The joy's of motoring...

sounds like it could be a broken or worn tooth on the flywheel mate had same prob as last reply and turned out to be snapped tooth Daz


you could try puttin the car in gear then gently pushing car back and forwards this may free it up and youll be offski

I had the same symptoms last week. Battery perfect, engine turns on ignition Ԛ… but does not fire. Incredibly, Green Flag man (or rather their local subcontractor in Surrey Ԛ—a Automania, a great guy) managed to spot that I had a minor oil leakage for months which had made the sensor beneath the engine block (slightly in front) very dirty with black grease. He cleaned the sensor with a tissue, connected his battery charger to mine (to avoid discharging mine) and within 5 minutes of trying, my engine sprang into life! I was quite impressed. However, the main cause of my problem is the oil leaking so I will have to change the gasket.

Oil leaks, crank position sensors, snapped teeth, and OBC code functions have nothing to do with this problem whatsoever.
Short together pins 11 and 14 of the diagnostic socket, post the result, and I'll move you one step closer to finding what's wrong with your car.

It's OK guys, my mechanic removed and had my starter motor reconditioned now it starts and springs into life better than it ever has!