e46 330i Touring - HELP!

[Gavla]

So over the week end I ended up with a dead car....

Saturday morning I had to boost start my car. No problems and I drove to my destination fine.

When it came time to leave the battery was dead so I tried to boost start it again. No luck. dash lights came on but engine would not turn over and no clicking front the starter motor, just nothing!

Tried to jump start it, nothing. Recovery vehicle pulled me around the block to try and jump start it, nothing.

I have recharged the battery, nothing...

I have tried to boost start again, nothing...

I have connected 1 month old Bosch S5 battery, nothing...

Any body with any suggestions please let me know as I am sending it in tomorrow and want to be able to know what they are looking for...

Many Thanks, Gavin

[bss325i]

Does the engine crank?

If not then possibly either Starter motor, ignition switch or an EWS (immobiliser) fault.

[Gavla]

Engine does not crank, there is nothing except a very feint click.

Ok so what to check first? Process of elimination...

Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

When you say 'dead', do you mean everything dead? Not even interior lights or parking lights?

[bss325i]

If there is a feint click when cranking then it sounds like the starter motor has failed.

[hennared323i]

Feint?

What, we on military manouvers here?

Sorry, couldn't help myself

I'll get me coat

[Gavla]

When you say 'dead', do you mean everything dead? Not even interior lights or parking lights?

All lights work, engine / starter / crank dead...

[M-sport325]

Solidnoid not kicking into the starter , I would talk the starter off & bench test it direct off a battery

[bss325i]

If there is a feint click when cranking then it sounds like the starter motor has failed.

Should start by push jumping the car shouldn't it?

If its a manual and its just the starter that's at fault then yes.

[Gavla]

So my car is working again...

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the problem was?

[Gavla]

No guesses, ok...

Turns out it was the chip in the key that was not able to be read by the immobiliser thereby not allowing the car to start.

Isn't technology wonderful.

[bss325i]

I did say EWS fault.

[Andyboy]

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the problem was?

It's an E46.

[mcbonio]

Usually you can fix the key by dropping it from waist height onto the floor....

[alpinachris]

So what was the fix? new key,

[Morat]

Don't the keys charge when they're in the ignition?
Although... I don't know if the engine needs to be running.

[Gavla]

Yes the key charges while in the ignition and the ignition on.

However even if the battery is fine, if the micro chip is not able to let the immobiliser know that it is the correct key then it will not start the car.

I sent the key off to a guy on fleabay to fix for £21...unfortunately although all the lights now come on, it still does not turn over. My other key starts the car but does not remotely lock the car so I use both keys at the moment...