No crank no start

Tiny
HOOKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 BMW 328
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Hello, the push button does nothing and no crank when you try to start this car. We found a relay (black 4 prong) under passenger side under glove box. We thought it was the starter relay. It is black in color and has 4 prongs. We tried to jump it to close the circuit and right after that all the headlights, brake light, interior lights, and windshield wipers turned on and wont turn off. The car was off and all these lights, even dome light stayed on. We had to disconnect the battery so it would not loose its charge.
Did we ruin the computer? Also it will not shift. The shifter will not move. Car still no start and its automatic. Any help appreciated.
I don't think that was a starter relay as we thought. Someone said module relay. It's square and looks like a relay. Please help I will put a picture of this part on later.
The black relay we jumped was the only one of that color under the passenger glove box.I saw a video on you tube and said this is really not a relay but looks just like one. Its called a "car access module" I have no idea what it does but it looks just like a 4 prong square relay. We jumped this part to close the switch from one pin to another. That's when all the lights came on and wipers and dome lights and car would not shift (shifter would not move). Some people replace this to start car.I think we ruined something jumping this as with the car off, and after jumping this part, all the lights and wipers stay on all the time and shifter wont move. Here is the black BMW 2008 328i relay we jumped with small jumper wire, then car was possed after plugging relay back in. All lights stayed on (headlights, brake, dome lights), on with car off and automatic shifter wont move now and windshield wipers also stay on with car off?This relay is behind glove compartment passenger side. Upper right. Only black relay on fuse board. Its square and small says 30 on it on relay location Please help!
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Saturday, June 27th, 2020 AT 3:15 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,544 POSTS
It sounds like you might have shorted out the foot well module, but we should check all fuses first. here is a guide to help to help you get started with the fuse locations and identification as well (below):

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please run this test and get back to us.
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
HOOKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Ken, I am not at the car. It's up for sale and out of town. What is the foot well module and where is it on a 328i? I don't understand where you want us to test the fuses? Please explain in simple terms. Also what is that black relay under glove compartment that we tried to jump start, some say car access relay? I was going to buy this car but then we jumped that relay lights and dome lights, wipers stay on with car off. Wont shift still. Please explain, go step by step. I don't understand your pics but the guy is trying to get this fixed. Need to know what this relay controls? Thanks, Gail
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
HOOKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Ken, heard this is a recall. Will it cause car not to shift? The guy jumped the battery under rear trunk also right before all this happened. Is that bad that he didn't jump it under the hood? I heard BMW should not be jumped at battery in trunk?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
HOOKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
RE; 2008 BMW 328i. Hi Ken, thank you for your help. I decided not to buy this car as I don't have access to work on it and it's far away in this unbearable heat. Too much wrong with it and too complicated of a car for me. I heard there was a recall on that foot-well module you were mentioning. Looks like someone bought the car. Thank you anyway.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 5:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,544 POSTS
Okay, sorry we could not be more help. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
MATT02180
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2007 BMW 328
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 57,000 MILES
My car makes a grinding noise when I try to start it. It only does it sometimes and started in the cold weather. Does anyone know what the problem could be?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Noises are difficult to diagnose from cyberspace. You have described what could be normal operation. What does BMW think it is?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MATT02180
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The car is not actually starting, it just makes a grinding noise. BMW assist is on the way right now so I don't have feedback yet.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
This could be a failed starter or a worn out ring gear.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREGAD02
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • BMW 328
I have a 2000 BMW 328I. The car will not start. It just makes a clicking noise when I trun the key, yet the battery seems to have ample power. The first two times that this happened, the car fired right up after I left the power on for more than 2 minutes. Now the car will not start at all.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Do a load test on the battery, it takes a lot of juice to crank an engine, if it's the original battery it may be past it's prime.4 year batteries are what they install at the factory.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREGAD02
  • MEMBER
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Thanks merlin
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DJKRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 BMW 328
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 148,000 MILES
When I go to start the car all the guages come on, radio works, lights work, batterys fine, just wont crank, turn the key and it doesnt even sound like the starters clicking. It will start up when its somewhat cold or sometimes in the day. Theres a little clutch stopper hole, I used to be able to put a pen in the whole and wobble it around and the car would start up.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Where is this hole?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DJKRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The hole is located behind the clutch pedal. Its just a metal round hole with threads, it doesnt look like its hooked into anything. I went to a dealership and it died there and the guy put a pen in the whole pushed it around and the car started right up. If you look up clutch stopper on google it will show you a picture of the hole.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
This sounds like the clutch interlock switch, it's purpose is to block the starter from working unless the clutch pedal is depressed. The under dash panel can be removed and a subsequent inspection of the switch can be performed.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DJKRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Were is this switch located and what does it look like, what should I do when I come across the switch. Before when it was acting up I could push the clutch all the way deep into the floor and brake pushed down all the way to and it would start. I really appreciate your advice and time.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
It is on the clutch pedal up high on the arm. Look in the under dash and see it for yourself.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
**Cranks but no start condition:

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARRIELONG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
We have done all of that. I guess what I needed to know is, is there anywhere I can get a wiring diagram from the computer to the coils? When we started we had fire and now that we changed the crank sensor there is no fire. They also had an aftermarket security system on it which we took off.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)

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