[nukezero]

Coming out of Ralph's, car goes click and won't start. Car was all okay and battery is fine at 12.25V. I can hit ACC mode and no check engine light, no codes. I disconnected the blue IBS sensor wires at the negative battery terminal. Same problem.

So is this a starter problem?

140k miles, original starter, 8 years old

[335e92tx]

yep, prob. It will likely start later. I had like 4 intermittent no-starts in a 2week period. It would always start 10 to 30 min later. Replaced starter, never happened since.

[tylerboland01]

Having a battery at 12v+ really doesn't mean much it needs to be load tested first.

[nukezero]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

yep, prob. It will likely start later. I had like 4 intermittent no-starts in a 2week period. It would always start 10 to 30 min later. Replaced starter, never happened since.

Thank buddy! HOly crap you are right!!

We went back 3 hours later to my car and it cranked right up , right when the tow truck was there. Wife was like... you know it's gonna strand us again right? I was like...dayam.

I troubleshooted it the best i could at the battery and messin' with the IBS. Nothing worked and it magically works again!? What kind of witchery is that!

Car is at the shop now

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by nukezero

Thank buddy! HOly crap you are right!!

We went back 3 hours later to my car and it cranked right up , right when the tow truck was there. Wife was like... you know it's gonna strand us again right? I was like...dayam.

I troubleshooted it the best i could at the battery and messin' with the IBS. Nothing worked and it magically works again!? What kind of witchery is that!

Car is at the shop now

Let us know how much is the damage...

[SteveDonald]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1414857

Something like this happened to me yesterday, read this form hope it helps! Got it towed earlier this morning.

[nukezero]

Shop just called. The damage is $520 for parts and labor (2.7 hours). This includes the set of bolts.

[mweisdorfer]

I would agree it is the starter. You can get a brand new Bosch starter with a lifetime warranty from FCP Euro for about $175.00 or less.

This is very DIYable if your reasonably handy with a wrench.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1058915

You might need to get the special ratchet for $20-25.00 to make life a lot easier, but better than paying someone $500.00 plus.

[BimmerNugget]

DanTheBMWMan Comon' Dan! You really took the damn car to the shop? I told you to Get a TYC starter motor and DIY it for $80 or get a BOSCH starter motor and DIY it for $200. Not a very difficult DIY, all you need is a decent socket/ratchet wrench set, and about 2 hours time.

[Needbmwpartzz]

I would have tried to charge battery first but I guess desperate times call for desperate measures

[nukezero]

I got the car back. The starter now has a different distinct start noise than the previous start. The old starter sounds more oomph like a deep sound "errmh errmh". The new starter starts more young like "ween ween". Regardless, it starts up great and strong.

I could have DIY'd this job and save a few hundreds but I needed my car bad plus, I would have to invest in several tools like a swiveling socket wrench and what not. Also a trip to the dealer and wait for new parts to arrive. Starter, set of new bolts, gas money for wife's car, and time, so... I would probably have done it for $250 in parts and opportunity cost with taxes and shipping. So I paid $337 for labor based on 2.7 hours. I think that's a fair price.

Here's thing. Once you replace a starter, it should last you many, many years again. Mine is original from the factory, lasted 8 years 140k miles. I reckon I won't be replacing it ever again. I only intend to keep the car for a few more years. My mom's 12 year old Acura TSX is still on the original starter, go figure!

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by nukezero

I got the car back. The starter now has a different distinct start noise than the previous start. The old starter sounds more oomph like a deep sound "errmh errmh". The new starter starts more young like "ween ween". Regardless, it starts up great and strong.

I could have DIY'd this job and save a few hundreds but I needed my car bad plus, I would have to invest in several tools like a swiveling socket wrench and what not. Also a trip to the dealer and wait for new parts to arrive. Starter, set of new bolts, gas money for wife's car, and time, so... I would probably have done it for $250 in parts and opportunity cost with taxes and shipping. So I paid $337 for labor based on 2.7 hours. I think that's a fair price.

Here's thing. Once you replace a starter, it should last you many, many years again. Mine is original from the factory, lasted 8 years 140k miles. I reckon I won't be replacing it ever again. I only intend to keep the car for a few more years. My mom's 12 year old Acura TSX is still on the original starter, go figure!

Glad you were able to get your precious bimmer back on the road so soon! Good luck!

[blackhawkk22]

Originally Posted by nukezero

Shop just called. The damage is $520 for parts and labor (2.7 hours). This includes the set of bolts.

That's a STEAL! $1,500 for me. Thank god warranty covered it though!

[Beaming]

Know what you mean about different sound from the new starter. I replaced mine after it completely died in the middle of nowhere after stopping at a fruit stand to buy tomatoes. Once sure it was the starter, a little help from the guy at the fruit stand to get me to a nearby hill and bump started my sweet little straight six coupe home. In 105,000 miles closest she's ever come to stranding me. The new starter is higher pitched for sure but seems to spin faster.

Still love my car as much as I did the very first day. Like a fine woman not cheap but well worth it.

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by nukezero

... ... ...

I could have DIY'd this job and save a few hundreds but I needed my car bad plus, I would have to invest in several tools like a swiveling socket wrench and what not. Also a trip to the dealer and wait for new parts to arrive. Starter, set of new bolts, gas money for wife's car, and time, so... I would probably have done it for $250 in parts and opportunity cost with taxes and shipping. So I paid $337 for labor based on 2.7 hours. I think that's a fair price.

... ... ...

Agreed!

Sometimes if the price is reasonable enough to you, why not just have a shop do it if you don't mind paying the extra scratch.

Think about it for a minute ...

No frustration or hassle, as sometimes the smallest jobs turn out to become the biggest bitches adding hours for something supposedly simple.
No schlepping to the auto store to buy all the necessary parts; which is time that should be added to the overall repair time folks seem to constantly and conveniently leave out.
No worrying about if you screw something up or breaking a plastic part because you don't do it all the time, thus having put more money and time into the job ... there's lots of posts out there about folks who do purportedly "easy" DIY's and end up with some sort of issue afterwards.

Even if you are a capable DIY'er ... sometimes paying for the convenience and peace of mind that it's going to be done right the first time is worth it. Not everyone has the time or even space to do all of their own repairs.

[nukezero]

Yeah, new starter is definitely higher pitched but spins heck of a lot faster. That tells me my old one was a weak grandpa on its last leg or I forgot the sound of the starter the day I drove her off the dealership. maybe the original starter was high pitched as well, just over time, it got worse.