Car won't start. What could it be?

xeta · 09-25-2006, 09:58 AM

My E90 has roughly 10,000 miles on it and was working like a charm. I parked it at my friends house and proceeded to go out with them for a few hours. When we came back, I unlocked the door...got into my vehicle, inserted key in, pressed in clutch (and brake) and hit start/stop.....*SILENCE*....The car just will not start. The I-drive does not come up with any error at all. I tried locking/unlocking the car again and starting the process from scratch with the other key fob (I do NOT have comfort access either). I made a call to BMW assist to come check out the car, and they check the battery and said "Its not the battery"...and so, a flat bed came and towed my baby away. I'm just wondering if any of the techies can help me out in telling me whats wrong. My dealership has yet to find the problem but, confirm that it is not starting.

In older cars without start/stop button you could simply listen to how the engine was turning and could take a guess as to what the issue was. Now, we dont have that luxury.

Thanks in advance.

BK · 09-25-2006, 12:43 PM

No idea what could be the problem. I suppose it could be any number of things. But I'm sorry to hear it.

Lucid4000 · 09-25-2006, 09:02 PM

I had a similiar problem. My car wouldn't start. Took my dealer almost 5 weeks to figure it out. It was a faulty engine harness. I would call them and ask them to check that. If they have no answers you can always call BMW NA. They jumped went they got that phone call. Give us a update on what happens.

xeta · 09-28-2006, 11:05 AM

Well, so far

Replaced my Throttle Housing (and other items?)

Currently replacing my computer. If that doesn't work, I'll have them check the engine harness. Thanks guys.

Nikki · 09-28-2006, 11:12 AM

That stinks. Hope you get it back soon.

txusa03 · 09-28-2006, 02:11 PM

I hope he gets a new car

xeta · 10-21-2006, 12:34 PM

Sorry for not getting back for so long. Turns out it was the computer. After replacing the computer, the car started right away and is still working now.

some other items I noticed:

- I'm not sure if there was a new update to the software but, my Display looks crisper/clearer and has a different font type than before.
- New I-Drive icons in the "I" settings menu.
- Car seems to be more "Aggressive" sounding. Throat'ier sound.

txusa03 · 10-21-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xeta

Sorry for not getting back for so long. Turns out it was the computer. After replacing the computer, the car started right away and is still working now.

some other items I noticed:

- I'm not sure if there was a new update to the software but, my Display looks crisper/clearer and has a different font type than before.
- New I-Drive icons in the "I" settings menu.
- Car seems to be more "Aggressive" sounding. Throat'ier sound.

glad you got problem fix. Yes, I've read that new software will change the look of idrive screen with different smaller fonts so longer word can be display.

I thought your car would not start cuz you did not pay your monthly note so they disable your computer from the bmw command center

j/k

///Matt · 10-21-2006, 12:55 PM

Progman v23 (which they used to program your new computer once it was installed) updates the i-drive software. It's a new format.

Matt

MonacoBimm · 10-21-2006, 01:09 PM

How do I know when I need a computer software update? Do I have to go to my dealer. Or is it updated when I service my car?

///Matt · 10-21-2006, 01:53 PM

it's updated when there's a recall or when something get's replaced. in theory, you could have the car 10 years and never get a software update if you never had a recall or replaced module.

Matt

calvino · 10-25-2006, 12:51 AM

I had that problem and it took me 10 mins to figure out that I had left the car in the Drive position ( auto) lol

guycollege · 10-29-2006, 04:46 PM

thats wack 5 weeks to figure that out...i wonder how much that would cost if you didn't have it under warranty.

I would a jumpstart help in this case? ( I would doubt it ) Waiting for a tow to come is a pain in the butt...

09-25-2006, 09:58 AM	#1
xeta Private First Class 11 Rep 136 Posts Drives: Silver 330xi, 6MT Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA iTrader: (0)	Car won't start. What could it be? My E90 has roughly 10,000 miles on it and was working like a charm. I parked it at my friends house and proceeded to go out with them for a few hours. When we came back, I unlocked the door...got into my vehicle, inserted key in, pressed in clutch (and brake) and hit start/stop.....SILENCE....The car just will not start. The I-drive does not come up with any error at all. I tried locking/unlocking the car again and starting the process from scratch with the other key fob (I do NOT have comfort access either). I made a call to BMW assist to come check out the car, and they check the battery and said "Its not the battery"...and so, a flat bed came and towed my baby away. I'm just wondering if any of the techies can help me out in telling me whats wrong. My dealership has yet to find the problem but, confirm that it is not starting. In older cars without start/stop button you could simply listen to how the engine was turning and could take a guess as to what the issue was. Now, we dont have that luxury. Thanks in advance. __________________
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09-25-2006, 12:43 PM	#2
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	No idea what could be the problem. I suppose it could be any number of things. But I'm sorry to hear it. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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09-25-2006, 09:02 PM	#3
Lucid4000 Major 57 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 335i AW Sport 6MT Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NYC!! iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 330i Sport [0.00]	I had a similiar problem. My car wouldn't start. Took my dealer almost 5 weeks to figure it out. It was a faulty engine harness. I would call them and ask them to check that. If they have no answers you can always call BMW NA. They jumped went they got that phone call. Give us a update on what happens. __________________ Mobile Addictions 718.877.7700 or info@mobile-addictions.com www.mobile-addictions.com
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09-28-2006, 11:05 AM	#4
xeta Private First Class 11 Rep 136 Posts Drives: Silver 330xi, 6MT Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA iTrader: (0)	Well, so far Replaced my Throttle Housing (and other items?) Currently replacing my computer. If that doesn't work, I'll have them check the engine harness. Thanks guys. __________________
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09-28-2006, 11:12 AM	#5
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	That stinks. Hope you get it back soon. __________________ Nikki
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09-28-2006, 02:11 PM	#6
txusa03 Major General 550 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	I hope he gets a new car
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10-21-2006, 12:34 PM	#7
xeta Private First Class 11 Rep 136 Posts Drives: Silver 330xi, 6MT Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA iTrader: (0)	Sorry for not getting back for so long. Turns out it was the computer. After replacing the computer, the car started right away and is still working now. some other items I noticed: - I'm not sure if there was a new update to the software but, my Display looks crisper/clearer and has a different font type than before. - New I-Drive icons in the "I" settings menu. - Car seems to be more "Aggressive" sounding. Throat'ier sound. __________________
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10-21-2006, 12:55 PM	#9
///Matt United States Marine 318 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Progman v23 (which they used to program your new computer once it was installed) updates the i-drive software. It's a new format. Matt
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10-21-2006, 01:09 PM	#10
MonacoBimm Banned 44 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: Sapp. Black 330i(2nd e90) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama City, Panama iTrader: (1)	How do I know when I need a computer software update? Do I have to go to my dealer. Or is it updated when I service my car?
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10-21-2006, 01:53 PM	#11
///Matt United States Marine 318 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	it's updated when there's a recall or when something get's replaced. in theory, you could have the car 10 years and never get a software update if you never had a recall or replaced module. Matt
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10-25-2006, 12:51 AM	#12
calvino Lieutenant Colonel 304 Rep 1,928 Posts Drives: had e90, 330i mystic blue Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weston,Florida iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 e90 330i [0.00]	I had that problem and it took me 10 mins to figure out that I had left the car in the Drive position ( auto) lol __________________ E90 Mytic Blue 330i 07-20-2006. 05-17-2011 Doesn't the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural? Support NORML
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10-29-2006, 04:46 PM	#13
guycollege Enlisted Member 6 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2006 325i AT Electric Red Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	thats wack 5 weeks to figure that out...i wonder how much that would cost if you didn't have it under warranty. I would a jumpstart help in this case? ( I would doubt it ) Waiting for a tow to come is a pain in the butt...
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