2CarPros - Car Questions & Answers

2003 BMW Z4 Repair Question


Topics covered: Battery, Click, Starter.
Mileage: No information provided.

Asked on June 2, 2009

2003 BMW Z4 Odd Dead Battery / Starter



Here's the weird part. The battery solenoid was CLICK - CLICK - CLICK. Not the rapid fluttering. But Wham Wham Wham of the solenoid seriously smacking the starter. The truck battery has more than enough crank to turn over that little engine, and you can hear it engage the starter flywheel, but it never turns the engine over. I let it sit and charge a while with same results. Battery "eye" shows green.
Avatar Asked by Squigibo

Answer

Replied on June 3, 2009

Hi there,

thank you for the donation,

If you can hear the solinoid engaging with force and you still have no cranking, i would be getting the starter checked for burn solinoid contacts, i would also get the alternator charge rate checked, and have the batter load tested as this is the only true way of testing the battery condition, also make sure all battery terminals are in good clean condition.

mark (mhpautos)

Tiny Answered by mhpautos (expert)
26,915 answers provided
Replied on June 3, 2009

As always, I agree with Marks' assessment of the problem and I request you CLOSELY inspect the battery safety terminal on the + side of the battery. There is a small pyrotechnic device to disconnect the battery is case of an incident large enough to cause an airbag activation and this connection can and does fail from time to time, wiggle the terminal and see if it is electrically sound, any question about the connection should have it be considered for replacement.

Tiny Answered by Dr. Hagerty (expert)
9,669 answers provided