She wont turn over!!

[okc318ti]

My 97 318ti will not turn over. All of my power functions like radio headlights and horn all work perfectly. Could this be my starter gone bad? How do i fix??? Right now she's sitting in a movie theatre parking lot.

[b.u.ti-ful]

Is there any sound at all when you turn the key?

[dave45056]

Have you ever had starter trouble before? When my starter bit the dust it made a grinding noise after it started the car. Next the noise lasted longer, then it would intermittantly fail to turn the car over.
The only other thing that has prevented my car from turning over was a blown fuse. I think it was in the 40's in the fuse box, but not sure of the number. Start with the fuses. Next I'd see if you can bump start it if it's a manual gearbox.

[okc318ti]

@b.u.ti-ful No it doesnt make a sound when i try to start it.

@dave45056 Well i have owned my 318ti for about two weeks now. And it did this one time before, so we had it towed to a mechanic and once it got there he jumped it and it started. So he thought it was a bad battery, i went out and bought a new one and two days later the same thing. Is there a fuse connected with the starter?? Because i tried looking for that and i couldnt find it.

[b.u.ti-ful]

You might check the other end of the neg batt cable where it connects to the car's body - it can get corroded and cause a bad ground.

[dave45056]

There are a few fuses which can blow causing a no start. The one I am talking about was not for the starter itself, but for a related system. Did you physically check the fuses I mentioned?

I just remembered something else... I had a no crank situation when my alternator went bad and drained my battery down. Maybe your issuse is with that. I thought it was odd that the lights all appeared to work, too.

The Autozone near me could not bench test it. If you've never done it, the first time is a little tough because it's a tight fit in the cradle.

Try getting a jump start again or putting a battery charger on your car and see it if it starts. If it does, then it's most likely your alternator. Maybe talk to your mechanic again. Maybe he'll test it for free if you can get it there.

[okc318ti]

Oh okay, no i havent tried to check the fuses yet but the mechanic has the car now and is looking into the fuses as well as the ground wire and the battery so hopefully here in a couple days i will have it all settled. thanks for the help you all!

[smokeyzx]

I'm having the same problem. Which fuse bank and fuses should I check?

What happened with your car? Is it fixed? What was the problem?

[pdxmotorhead]

ITS EASY!!!
Just open the fuse box and look its very obvious which fuse is blown on my car as I recall its the brake light fuse that disables the car...

Dave

[smokeyzx]

Are you screwing with me? The brake light fuse?

[Recon427]

The mechanic should also run a quick test to make sure power is flowing to the ECU and then out of the ECU.

I believe that if the immobilizer is tripped, it would cut power half way.

Did you do recent work to the car? In other words, did you have the starter disconnected?

[smokeyzx]

No work on the car for 1.5 years except for oil and tires.

Turned the key last week, power to everything but nothing not even a clicking sound when trying to start the car. I checked the main fuse box under the hood and everything was ok. Then checked to see if the starter was getting power and it was. Turned the starter in case it was on a flat spot and still nothing. Had it towed to my mechanic and had the starter replaced, same problem.
And now I'm on this forum realizing I just bought a starter for no good reason... OUCH!

[coffin]

Yea I'm having the same problem with the missus 98 Ti the car wouldn't start so I jumped it and she took it for a good motorway drive got home and wouldn't restart so I bought a new battery and still won't turn over all other electrics are working fine it's got me stuffed oh and the keyless entry hasn't been initialised can anyone help? Could the immobiliser need resetting? And how's it done?

[LittleNicky]

can you hear the box under the glovebox clicking when you turn the key??

i'm not sure where your ews box is in america (i'm RHD in England), but there's a white box that should make a clicky noise when you turn the key, denoting that your transponder chip has successfully sent the signal to that box and the ecu to start the vehicle.

not trying to get technical - but the immobilisers seem to give a lot of people headache. it could need aligning, or just rip the thing out like i did!!

who needs driveaway protection, lol? failing that - your transponder could be dodgy. means you'll have to get it re-aligned.... could be the ground though. you might as well check the simple stuff yourself (fuses etc) before spunking money at a garage

[coffin]

cheers lil nicky, we are right hand drive too way down under here lil ole New Zealand anyway back to the topic it's off to the dealer to get sorted cha ching lol oh well I tried to talk her into get a FORD lol