Rohil 30 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 Hi guys, so i see that a similar thread to this one was posted a few weeks ago on here but i thought id make my own as i have my own set of problems. The car wont start, which is next to no help for anyone who wants to help me diagnose the problem. So the car used to start occasionally in Neutral only (Auto Trans), and i thought doing it this way would be okay until even that stopped working. When we jump the battery is starts every time but the battery has been tested and it seems fine? When you turn the key you can hear the fuel priming, it just wont turn the engine over. As i said i have had the battery tested and have been told its fine, however when i jump it the car starts perfectly. And because iv been told the battery is fine i dont really want to spoend money on a new battery if the problem lays elsewhere. Could it be the starter? I have no clue, but i have been told (admittedly the person who told me that literally just had a glance) it could be the starter. This is the ONLY thing holding the car back from being my daily, i have put in a lot of work over the last few weeks these holidays getting it all nice. Once the car can start everytime no problem, itll be on the road and i cannot wait for that! Thanks for any help you guys can give me, it is much appreciated! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 What car are you talking about? E30 or E46? Regardless, the battery is obviously not fine. Test another battery (of the correct CCA rating for the car) and see if that works... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohil 30 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 E30 sorry, ill give that a go, ill find out what the correct CCA rating is for the E30. I have read that a group 49 sized battery will fit in the boot, is it beneficial to get a bigger battery? Or better to run one with the same CCA rating? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Young Thrash Driver 1020 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 If it's jump starting fine, it won't be the starter motor. As above, be completely sure it isn't the battery. The next step is to find the gremlin in the gearbox Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohil 30 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 Ill try another battery hopefully that sorts me with starting. It occasionally starts but once in a blue moon. Yeah suspected inhibtor switch for the auto. Right now i dont have the funds but i want to manual convert. Thatll take care of that haha. Or so i hope. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 Battery connections? Jump starting will mask that. As alluded to - make CERTAIN the battery is good. DIN 55 is the correct battery for it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohil 30 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 The battery was under the bonnet and it had this problem, i used new wires to relocate it to the boot and its still doing the same thing so i dont think its the connections. Ill have a look at the battery. Thanks guys for the help so far! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 Well, looks like you are stabbing in the dark somewhat. Get a sparky to check it. Will be a whole 5 min job at most to diagnose Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohil 30 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 Yeah i think ill have someone that actually knows what theyre doing to have a look at it. Being honest i have no clue what to look for Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
will 169 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 Start off by testing the starting function at the diagnostic socket by bridging pins 11-14, especially when it will not fire from the key. Being a 323i, it will have the older 'D' shaped socket shown on the left. If it starts every time from the socket, you have an issue with the electrics (ign switch/auto selector/relay etc.). If not, you have an issue with the battery/starter/grounding of motor to body/supply from battery. Do this test and report back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohil 30 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 Cheers man! Ill give it a go tomorrow and report back. Hopefully this can narrow down my search a little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohil 30 Report post Posted March 1, 2015 Sorry iv been tied up this weekend and with uni starting tomorrow it sucks i have no time right now to look into this. Earliest ill get time is next Sunday, i guess i gotta wait till then. Maybe in that time ill take my battery out and get it tested again because its quick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
