[new2the3]

my father called me today after work. His 9 month old 330 engine will not turn on. All the electronics work when you hit the start button but the engine will not turn over and it does not make any noise. Road side will not even tow it to BMW because it is after 6pm. Any ideas?

[scpage]

Possible that the battery is dead and has just enough juice to run the electronics? If not, have it towed home and then call back tomorrow and have them tow it to BMW.

Originally Posted by new2the3

my father called me today after work. His 9 month old 330 engine will not turn on. All the electronics work when you hit the start button but the engine will not turn over and it does not make any noise. Road side will not even tow it to BMW because it is after 6pm. Any ideas?

[Hatorade]

check the spark plugs make sure they arent wet or anything.
hows the gas level? did you try pushing in the break pedal?

[Tag]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

check the spark plugs make sure they arent wet or anything.
hows the gas level? did you try pushing in the break pedal?

Sounds like the battery. Make sure to turn the lights to the off setting and try to start it. If it still won't turn over get a jump.

[Juggs]

Originally Posted by tag824

Sounds like the battery. Make sure to turn the lights to the off setting and try to start it. If it still won't turn over get a jump.

+1

[new2the3]

Tow guy can't even get the car to jump. Also my dad told me the auto is stuck in park. I just went out to my 330i and hit the start button once (engine still off) and moved it into neutral with my foot on the break no problem. I told him to try it and he said the shifter will not move at all. He is really pissed they can not even tow the car or jump it.

[Lucid4000]

Have them check the engine harness. Trust me on this one. Its not the battery and its not the starter and the engine is not dead.

[new2the3]

Well the car is sitting in a parking lot overnight now. They said to call the dealer in the morning. So roadside was zero help.

[ashecnc]

What if you were away from home, would they make you sit until the next day?

[canucklion]

that's kind of stupid that they don't tow cars after 6pm. WTF?

[Deveray]

This happened to me on Saturday [see post "my car has immobilized itself"], and the tow truck tried jump starting and charging the battery and it didn't work. BUT - I went back the next day [car stranded in the parking lot as the steering lock wouldn't release to get it onto the towtruck] and it started right up. So I suggest trying again in the morning. I took it into the dealer yesterday and they found nothing wrong but I have an appointment for them to take some things apart next week. My car is 6 months old.

[ashecnc]

Originally Posted by canucklion

that's kind of stupid that they don't tow cars after 6pm. WTF?

Yea I agree, amazing, no way I'd want mine left out in no where.

[new2the3]

The car did not start this morning but they did manage to get it in neutral and tow it to the dealership.

[new2the3]

the dealership finally called my dad back and said they could not get the car to start either. He thinks it has to do with the electronics and the car has become locked. I also think he said he was going to have to replace a lot of the steering components and it is going to be a major job. He estimated it will take about a week... This sounds kinda fishy to me?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by new2the3

the dealership finally called my dad back and said they could not get the car to start either. He thinks it has to do with the electronics and the car has become locked. I also think he said he was going to have to replace a lot of the steering components and it is going to be a major job. He estimated it will take about a week... This sounds kinda fishy to me?

Sounds like they are saying the immobiliser isnt disengaging.

So they are probably replacing all the components that read that the correct key is in the car to allows it to start

Longest wait is probably to get the parts

Hopefually they added a few days just in case, and it wont take that long

[ahcjar103]

: push in the clutch :

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by new2the3

the dealership finally called my dad back and said they could not get the car to start either. He thinks it has to do with the electronics and the car has become locked. I also think he said he was going to have to replace a lot of the steering components and it is going to be a major job. He estimated it will take about a week... This sounds kinda fishy to me?

what sounds fishy? I think they are being honest.

[new2the3]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Sounds like they are saying the immobiliser isnt disengaging.

So they are probably replacing all the components that read that the correct key is in the car to allows it to start

Longest wait is probably to get the parts

Hopefually they added a few days just in case, and it wont take that long

Yes I think thats what it sounds like. I also remember when my father said something about the electronics not allowing the starter to work. It is a shame a car only 9 months old would have this failure. Hopefully it will not take longer then a week to fix.

[kRUNCHe90]

We had two cars with that same problem in the last 2 weeks. One needed a new ignition box and the other needed a steering colulmn. Both cars are less than a year old. The dealer is telling you the truth. The vehicle is under warranty and they gain nothing by letting it sit in the lot for a week. They'll get you handled..

[jlobowc]

I have a problem with my 2006 bmw 330i e90. At first I was driving and out nowhere my steering wheel got harder, lucky I was close to home. I find out that my serpentile belt somehow got cut. I bought the belt and put it in the car, but the car didn't start. I called some one to come over and find out what it was this person looked up at all the fuses anything that could be a electrical problem but couldn't find anything. Looking on internet find out that it might be the starter since the battery is good as I tried to jumped it with another car. I bought a brand new starter take off the old one and put the new one back on. I try to start the car, it did the crank but it didn't start. I don't know what to do anymore some told me that it might be the alternator but I don't think so. If some have some ideas that can help me out pls let me know. Thanks

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by jlobowc

... 2006 330i e90... my serpentile belt somehow got cut. I bought the belt and put it in the car, but the car didn't start. [?? 1,2,3,4 below] ... Looking on internet find out that it might be the starter since the battery is good as I tried to jumped it with another car. I bought a brand new starter take off the old one and put the new one back on. I try to start the car, it did the crank but it didn't start. I don't know what to do anymore some told me that it might be the alternator but I don't think so...

Posting to a thread ENDED thirteen (13) years ago that related to a NEW vehicle under warranty is NOT the best way to get help. Don't be afraid to start a new thread.

Questions:

1) When the Serpentine belt broke and the steering Power Assist was lost (since the belt was NO LONGER driving the Power Steering Pump), did the engine stall/quit before you got home & turned it off? Was there anything unusual about engine performance or sound before you turned it off?

2) How "shredded" was the belt, and was it wrapped around the Crankshaft Pulley (at bottom of engine) or had it damaged any of the wiring or hoses on the front of the engine? Did you "recover" ALL of the belt, or was some of it missing?

3) Did the engine fail to start at any time BEFORE you changed the belt?

4) When "the car didn't start" after changing the belt, did the starter crank the engine at all? Was there any sound/click when you pressed the START button, and if so, please describe the sound & where it came from?

5) When the Starter "cranks" the engine now after Starter replacement, does the Starter speed sound normal & is engine RPM between 100 & 200 RPM displayed on Tach during cranking? Is there ANY sputter or attempt to fire at all, or does the Engine RPM NOT change at ANY time during cranking?

6) Do you have a multimeter, and if so, what is the battery voltage measured at the Jumpstart Terminals under the hood?

7) Do you have any Scan Tool to read Fault Codes, and if so, what codes are Now Present?

8) Were there ANY issues with Starting or engine performance in the days BEFORE the Belt failed?

BTW, the Alternator will NOT prevent an engine that the Starter is cranking from "firing" or starting. The Alternator ONLY recharges and maintains battery charge and system voltage while the engine is running. Please do NOT throw any more parts at it until you get a proper diagnosis of the current issue.

With answers to those questions, we can suggest "next steps".

George