JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 Tonight i jump in my car to go to work and flicked the key around but i was a bit hasty and it was just a flick. The car turned over a couple of times but did not start because i released the key to quick. Turning the key again all i am getting now is the starter motor wirrrrrring. I don't think its a power problem as it went to start fine the first time. Its also not just clicking so again i think that rules out the battery. Could the ring gear be gone ???. What else could this be, Are there any tricks i could try before i go ringing up the insurance company for them to come pick the car up to take it off for repair. I don't want to be climbing around under the car or anything like that taking starter motors off as thats what i have the auto insurance for. Some advice on what this may be would be very helpful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrantiC Report post Posted May 4, 2009 Give the starter motor a whack with a solid object, Yes you have to give it a good solid whacking. Sometimes it get's stuck when they get worn out. Awhack usually sorts it out. If it becomes a common problem, Get a new starter. Cheap as second hand, or $100 recond. take you 10 15 mins to swap one... Wouldn't stock up your claims to your insurance over minor things Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) Cheers for the reply, I was at work but have now come home cause i was to wound up about this. I have taken the battery out and thrown it on the charger just in case and was going to take the starter out to give it a clean up, But where do i start i can't even find the bloody thing. A quick search on the net is showing people taking the inlet manifold off to get at it, Hell i don't want to start doing anything like that. Is it on the right hand side somewhere standing at the bonnet looking down. Looking at the Haynes manual its got removal of the inlet manifold and various wiring harness's etc. Bugger that i gave up doing all those sorts of things years ago. (well that much involved anyway). I took out the mechanical insurance on the car when i got it for things just like this i would have thought. I may have a $200 excess but to get the car taken to the dealers and the cost of parts and labor i would say would be far greater than my excess. So unless its a real easy fix on my part then for me it makes sense to use my insurance after all its what it is there for. Edited May 4, 2009 by presso Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 Just did a real good search around the net and every article and post says the inlet manafold has to come off with all its bits and pieces, They also mention you must have the right tools as they have torx head bolts of a certain size. Anyway looks like to big of a job for me to do, If after putting the battery back in after a good charge then by morning i will be ringing my insurance company to get it sorted out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 You dont take the manifold off when you have the right tools, just the air box and induction hoses. Just get your insurance company to deal with it.... thats why youve got it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 (edited) You dont take the manifold off when you have the right tools, just the air box and induction hoses. Just get your insurance company to deal with it.... thats why youve got it Yup thanks for that info Glenn will be giving them a ring first thing in the morning and getting the tow service to come around and give it a ride to the dealers. Bit of luck they will put a new (well heres hoping) starter in, then it will last me. Are they that hard to get at you need special tools, Hell gone are the days where i used to lift the bonnet and 5 mins later would have one changed over lol. Edited May 4, 2009 by presso Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted May 5, 2009 (edited) Hmmmmm in a strange update, The car was picked up this morning and taken to Geoff Grey BMW. I just got a phone call from them to inform me that they cannot find anything wrong with it. They reckon it was just flooded. So it sat flooded from 7.30am to 3pm when they first managed to get to look at it. Did not know a car could have stayed flooded for this long. Am i missing something here, Could this of happened ?? They are leaving the plugs out over night and see what happens when they try and start it in the morning. Edited May 5, 2009 by presso Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
