Urgent help no start!

Andy Comerford

Andy Comerford

Dedicated Member
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 29, 2015
Points
29
Location
Birmingham
Model of Z
Z3
This morning came to the Z and would start no turn over or anything yet all lights come on, stereo etc. There's a buzz from the engine bay that isn't going away either which usually goes off after about 5 seconds. Is it a stuck immobiliser or something??

Fast help would be appreiated!!

Andy
 
Does it do anything at all when you turn the key other than the buzz? Do the lights flicker?

Could be a flat battery or possibly the terminal on the battery has come loose (more common than you might think!).
 
Litterally everything else is fine! And it's a brand new battery! Just doesn't turn over at all, no movement.
 
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It could be the immobiliser then, which type of key/fob do you have?

This style or the all in one key?
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This one. The button only operates a light it doesn't unlock the car or anything i just put key in manually and all doors unlock.


image.webp
 
The buzz indicates a faulty solenoid. I know it may sound stupid by try tapping the starter motor, this sometimes releases the solenoid
 
image.webp
This buzz is coming from this. Is this the solenoid? Like I said it normally buzzes for 5 seconds then goes off but it's staying on now with no turnover
 
If it's an stuck immobiliser can I fix this myself?? I'm thinking it's more this because the passenger door won't let me unlock it with the key will only unlock doors now from drivers side.
 
I would look at the battery then, not enough power to turn the car over, power loss to the system hence the buzzing from the unit, also central locking not working, would indicate a flat battery, or loose battery connection
 
How could that happen on a new battery? I did have a little puddle of water in the tray at the bottom of the battery yesterday from heavy rain but was only about 1cm at the bottom of the batt nowhere else but car ran fine with this there for a day and the day after I got the water out.
 
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Andy Comerford said:
How could that happen on a new battery? .............
Click to expand...

It can if there is a problem with your charging system or car has not been run enough (multiple short journeys) to re-charge after successive starts. Battery can be drained quickly if boot light or similar is left on.

As @TaffZee has suggested start with the assumption the battery does not have enough charge to kick over. Check battery connections are clean and tight Do you have a charger or jump leads to attempt start from a donor car? If you have access to a multimeter you can check battery voltage across terminals as part of these tests. It may well be something else but you have to start with the basics.
 
First rule of car won't start, don't assume anything, test everything and eliminate them. Starting with the battery and connections.;)

Tony
 
have you no one that can give you a jump start , if you do make sure you fit the leads correctly red lead to + on battery black to chassis not the battery, that will tell you a quick way if your battery is flat you may have a power drain
 
I wish I could help, normally when the battery is drained. My car normally makes a click click sound. Try charging or jump starting the car. If it's starts, check the alternator is charging the battery. If it doesn't start, then the issues could be related to starter motor.
 
My 530d would not start when the engine was warm, and it was a faulty cam shaft sensor, which was very easy to replace.
 
New batteries get a full charge when produced but may sit on a shelf for a considerable time and are not fully charged when sold. Check to insure your cables are tightened properly, if so charge the battery or jump as has been suggested. Your starter may have a dead short spot so try the tapping it solution suggested in a previous post. Good luck! JIM
 
Well I got sorted. Ended up calling an auto electrician for a diag check. It was the combination of the immobiliser and the key. Managed to get it back to normal after about an hour, although it did knock out my stereo so need to have a look at getting that back on but may be fuse or something. At least I got the car running again. Thanks for the input as usual guys!
 
Would your stereo power have had something to do with the problem too?
 
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