Tried to start the car one morning, just clicked
checked my battery, voltage read good, connections were good.
Connected some jumper cables just to make sure, tried again.... click.. click..click
After searching for a while I found the solenoid wire to the starter coil, applied 12v to it , still just clicks.
I checked it this way as to bypass any other computer bullshit problems that seem to come up with these cars. I knew now it was the starter.
So I called the BMW dealer... $2800.00!!! TO REPLACE THE STARTER .. R U F*CKING CRAZY
So I watched a couple youtube videos,. not so clear on some of it but, I've been working on cars most my life as a hobby and industrial mechanic / electrician as a profession for many years... I was going to do it myself. Purchased a Bosch starter for $225.00 us and off I went.
Removed the cabin filter, vacuum canister, intake manifold, throttle body, PCV valve and hoses.
You now have access to the starter... don't forget to disconnect your battery if doing this yourself.
you will break the PCV hoses - two of them - they are available from Bavarian cheaper than the dealer.
They are very brittle and require a long pair of needle nose pliers to remove the tabs to remove them.
no matter how you do it.. they will break! Pay attention how they come off the car, take pictures.
If you have the parts and some decent tools you can do this job in 12 - 14 hrs if you've never done it before.
You don't need special tools, but you do need patience. Good Luck... feel free to contact me.. I would hate to see someone pay that for a starter job.
Tried to start the car one morning, just clicked checked my battery, voltage read good, connections were good. Connected some jumper cables just to make sure, tried again.... click.. click..click After searching for a while I found the solenoid wire to the starter coil, applied 12v to it , still just clicks. I checked it this way as to bypass any other computer bullshit problems that seem to come up with these cars. I knew now it was the starter. So I called the BMW dealer... $2800.00!!! TO REPLACE THE STARTER .. R U F*CKING CRAZY
So I watched a couple youtube videos,. not so clear on some of it but, I've been working on cars most my life as a hobby and industrial mechanic / electrician as a profession for many years... I was going to do it myself. Purchased a Bosch starter for $225.00 us and off I went.
Removed the cabin filter, vacuum canister, intake manifold, throttle body, PCV valve and hoses. You now have access to the starter... don't forget to disconnect your battery if doing this yourself. you will break the PCV hoses - two of them - they are available from Bavarian cheaper than the dealer. They are very brittle and require a long pair of needle nose pliers to remove the tabs to remove them. no matter how you do it.. they will break! Pay attention how they come off the car, take pictures. If you have the parts and some decent tools you can do this job in 12 - 14 hrs if you've never done it before. You don't need special tools, but you do need patience. Good Luck... feel free to contact me.. I would hate to see someone pay that for a starter job.
- jameskilroy, Portland, US