sounds like a starter to me.

[T2urtle]

I gots me a E46 330i that i'm working with right now. I figure we got some current/former M3 owners around maybe similar problems with them. 150k on it.

It has a whole bunch of codes like cam sensor B circuit, running lean both banks and etc. But they wouldn't cause the car not to start.

This is what happens, hop in the car, cycle ignition and everything lights up like normal. Radio works, gauge lights and go to turn and NOTHING. Does not crank or anything. So i go sit and repeat about 20x nothing happens. Come back 10 minutes later tries and first couple times nothing and then Fires up, like good as new. Shut off and turns on. Once i get the car started, i can turn off and on without a problem. It drives nice and doesnt cut out. Shut down the car and give it 5-10 minutes and it back to square one. Play around with it for 10 minutes trying every minute or so and then it works again. Same crap, off and on off and on. But once you shut off for 5 minutes, it is done for until you pay the game again.

I cant figure out anything. Other then the starter, I've held the key at the crank for a couple minutes and nothing. If it was a fuel problem, it would least crank. The whole time i had a meter on the battery and it was showing a nice 12.9 and 13.9-14.2 while running. Battery is somewhat new but cant really rule it out.

Back of my mind, i think it could be the ign switch and MAYBE the Immboilzer but i think the immbolizer will allow the car to start but then die out.


Also how hard is it to replace the starter, I banged on it a couple of times from the top driver side but nothing worked, i figure i have to go under.

 

[bbs lm-r]

I thought you weren't supposed to hit the starter since you risk breaking the magnet inside.

 

[LTC8K6]

Crank vs start. Some of those problems could cause it not to start. But it should crank.

It actually sounds a little like a weak battery in a sophisticated car.

 

[T2urtle]

a weak battery ? really, not saying your wrong but i dont exactly see it.

turn key nothing, turn key nothing, turn key STARTS. doesn't seem like a battery. Yea i know there could be a system put in place if the car doesn't see XX volts it will not bother starting. We never did bother jumping it the battery mainly because it never cranked.

I do hear a single pop/click but most likely that is the power going into the started solenoid.

 

[mvbighead]

Crank vs start. Some of those problems could cause it not to start. But it should crank.

It actually sounds a little like a weak battery in a sophisticated car.

I can see this point. My Jeep had random start/no start issues. (Also random wonky gauges, etc.) One day, the random stopped. Fortunately was at a gas station and could get a couple wrenches. Battery connections were corroded. Got it cleaned enough, and it fired right up. Got it home and cleaned them thoroughly, and didn't have another problem until a good deal later when the starter died.

With all of the issues you are seeing, it is quite plausible that the battery isn't providing sufficient power to the components, throwing everything out of whack.

 

[5150MyU]

Starter,relay,or ignition switch-basic electrical diagnosis.
Unless the battery is intermitently shorted it should be good -load test it.
Battery voltage to starter-simple test-volt meter or test light.
Battery voltage to starter solenoid with ignition in crank position-simple test-volt meter or test light.

If you have both then the starter is bad-if you don't have both-which one are you missing.

Anti-theft will/can cause you to have nothing-then you get into the body controller-whole nother issue.
But that should kick a code.

 

[5150MyU]

I do hear a single pop/click but most likely that is the power going into the started solenoid.

I missed this-probably starter.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

Sounds like an electrical problem, those are always the hardest to troubleshoot.

 

[5150MyU]

Electrical problems are usually the easiest to trouble shoot-you either have power or you don't-and then you need ground.
It's the clunks and rattles that are frustrating.

 

[BW86]

If you hear the solenoid and the starter still isn't engaging every time. It's most likely a bad starter.

Same thing happened to my friends b6 s4. They are known to have bad starters. It would take him ~10 minutes every day to start his car. Changed it out and it starts first time every time.