Starting Issues - EWS?

[Martin_318Ti]

Hi,

I drive a 1998 318ti with 69K miles, have owned it nearly a year now without major issues. Today, I went to start it and it woudnt turn over. RAC breakdown tried to jump start it, but nothing, so battery appears to be fine.

We managed to bump start it, so it seems to be the starter. I drove it to a local garage to get a replacement. However now I have been reading about the EWS II immobilser system, which controls the starter, and not the fuel pump as I assumed.

Could it be an issue with the EWS and not the starter? Coincidentally the range of the keyfob seemed very reduced today, even though the battery is about 2 weeks old, and has started fine ever since I replaced it.

Any suggestions would be helpful, Id hate for them to put a new starter in only for nothing.

[Shellback]

alternator?
fuseable link?

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

It is not EWS related. If it was the car would not have started at all. On your car it is a EWS-II and fuel and spark would be disabled too along with the starter so it would still be dead and sitting were it was.

It was most likely the starter that was replaced

[Martin_318Ti]

Thanks very much for putting my mind at rest

[dave45056]

Check fuse 46. If that blows is will prevent the car from starting.

[Mallard]

if the engine is cranking but no start, check the crank/flywheel sensor

best to get it on a tester if you can get her started

[668M42]

It actually is possible that it can be EWS related. highly unlikely but still possible. That black trim ring around your ignition lock cylinder is the ews antenna, its possible that that has malfunctioned some how where your ignition will turn on but your engine will not start. but at that point your engine wouldnt even try. in my opinion, maybe your fuel pump or fuel pump relay. hell, take a wrench and give the starter a couple good knocks and try her again.

You could even take a wire (while the ignition is on) and attach one end to the (+)battery and the other end directly to the starter and see if it starts then. you'll know for sure if you need a starter. good luck..

[Mallard]

heres something i prepared earlier

Some EWS for your digestion

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/BMW_docs/EWS.pdf

And yes , i am a nice guy thank you

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by 668M42

hell, take a wrench and give the starter a couple good knocks and try her again.

You could even take a wire (while the ignition is on) and attach one end to the (+)battery and the other end directly to the starter and see if it starts then. you'll know for sure if you need a starter. good luck..

I assume you've never gone over your engine very thoroughly, it's actually impossible to get to the starter without removing the entire intake manifold, terrible design on BMWs part

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Folks he replaced the starter and is not having the issue now and wanted to check to be sure it was not EWS related. If the antenna ring is bad no start or fuel/spark. My opinion is the starter was bad. Very, very slim chance on the EWS starter relay but since it is starting good now I think the starter that was replaced was faulty and he will have no more issues. Only a opinion

John S

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by tiFreak

it's actually impossible to get to the starter without removing the entire intake manifold

No, it isn't.

You can also do it by dropping the tranny. Or you can hoist the engine out.

Removing the manifold is simply the easy way to do it.

[indiejack]

Not trying to hi-jack the thread but I just had something like this happen to me today. I drove the car to work (like I do every day) and parked it in the parking garage. Come out to get on the road home this evening and I have power, windows work, stereo was on there was juice, but turning the key to the right had zero effect. A couple co-workers tried to help me pop the clutch and it sounded like it wanted to turn over, but it did not so it's stuck in my works parking garage for now. Unfortunately it's an underground garage shared by a local sporting venue and it cannot be in there over this coming weekend. And pushing it out is not an option, and the tow companies said nobody would bring their truck down there so does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do? If it's the starter I may be able to get to it with the help of a buddy but we'll be with limited light or tools.

All replies are greatly appreciated my 328ti brothers, it's a stock M42.

EDIT: Also, it doesn't have the typical whine as if the starter has gone bad (from previous vehicles that starters have gone bad on).

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Originally Posted by indiejack

Not trying to hi-jack the thread but I just had something like this happen to me today. I drove the car to work (like I do every day) and parked it in the parking garage. Come out to get on the road home this evening and I have power, windows work, stereo was on there was juice, but turning the key to the right had zero effect. A couple co-workers tried to help me pop the clutch and it sounded like it wanted to turn over, but it did not so it's stuck in my works parking garage for now. Unfortunately it's an underground garage shared by a local sporting venue and it cannot be in there over this coming weekend. And pushing it out is not an option, and the tow companies said nobody would bring their truck down there so does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do? If it's the starter I may be able to get to it with the help of a buddy but we'll be with limited light or tools.

All replies are greatly appreciated my 328ti brothers, it's a stock M42.

EDIT: Also, it doesn't have the typical whine as if the starter has gone bad (from previous vehicles that starters have gone bad on).

Now that sounds like a EWS issue. If it won't start from a push start and key on I would think it is bad fuel pump or spark issue or maybe EWS related

[indiejack]

Does the 1995 have EWS? I have not done anything with the key. If it is the fuel pump, would that prevent the starter from engaging? Just trying to clarify, thanks again.

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Originally Posted by indiejack

Does the 1995 have EWS? I have not done anything with the key. If it is the fuel pump, would that prevent the starter from engaging? Just trying to clarify, thanks again.

Yes it should have a ESW-I (I think). Starter only. Maybe a bad fuel pump blown fuse or spark issue or ignition issue, relay issue to. Unloader or any relay involved in DME turn on