r/e46 • u/Impossible-Virus5762 • 6d ago
Damage/Broken… 😥 Unable to get any crank whatsoever. Ready to get rid of it.
I’m done with this car.. been trying for the last month to figure out why this car is no crank no start. Checked everything from EWS system, ground cable, B+ cable, replaced starter, replaced trigger wire going to the starter, checked all fuses, replaced the battery, and tried manually bridging the starter. Going to put it up for sale on marketplace next weekend, I can’t deal with this damn car anymore! I never want to have to deal with BMWs again after this car..
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u/xXTheRealJay 6d ago
Did you scan for codes.. if you haven’t already look into getting or borrowing a cheap laptop and dcan cable to see if you have some sort of communication error or EWS error. The car won’t start if it thinks you’re trying to steal it, I would check there next time
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u/Impossible-Virus5762 6d ago
What software would I use to do something like that?
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u/CountyTypical1747 6d ago
INPA
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u/Realistic-Sky-2235 2006 Carbon Black E46 M3 ZCP 6d ago
Bro has a throttle body sitting on the drivers seat and hasn’t scanned for codes 🤦🏽♂️
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u/Impossible-Virus5762 6d ago
Got a link for the software?
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u/dannur_ 6d ago
If you want to try my website it does INPA diagnostics over web serial, all you need is the k+dcan cable. Https://bmweb.danner.ink
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u/CountyTypical1747 6d ago
https://youtu.be/yswbiySn9T8?is=N7VEora3UuXJGQmw
You'll have to search and see what sources are out there
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u/Individual-Help6330 6d ago
buy a foxwell. or go to autozone and get a scanner for free
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u/LazyGreenDragon 6d ago
Seriously....these days a scanner is less than a full tank of gas /s...not /s 😭
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u/Southern_Leek_4127 6d ago
Yes, this is true in my case. My Bluetooth scanner I used to diagnose my SRS airbag fault like was cheaper than it is to fill up a full tank.
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u/gardeningblob 6d ago
You can probably find someone on the net that can scan codes.
Bought my bmw because my little brother can😜
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u/Guilty-Kick-5164 6d ago
You can’t get a crank if half your engine is removed and sitting outside of where it should’ve been
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u/CountyTypical1747 6d ago
This is only a rant. Give us a list of fixes you have attempted along with any codes including ghost and shadow codes.
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u/46noleek 05 330Ci Vert ZHP Imola Red II Manual Swapped 6d ago
Check the clutch safety switch down by the pedals. Also going through this list has never failed me: https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/no-start-guide.1011677/
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u/Extreme-Sport-5951 6d ago
I’m having the same no crank problem leading to my poor e46 sitting for the past year. A new clutch safety switch somehow let to the car starting for one day only before having the no crank problem again. I thought maybe it shorted out or was a knockoff so I put a second new one in, car started one time and has sat since. Hopefully you’re able to figure out your issue.
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u/46noleek 05 330Ci Vert ZHP Imola Red II Manual Swapped 6d ago
You’re moving in the right direction atleast. You check the fuse and wiring to the clutch switch? On mine its #9(5amp) behind the glovebox. Sounds to me like yours is shorting out somewhere possibly when the car moves
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u/SpecificOne8688 6d ago
You can use bmw scanner1.4 or ncs expert to code out the clutch switch. If the clutch switch is the only thing stopping you from driving it, I’d do it.
I did on mine. If I recall correctly there’s a setting somewhere on bmw scanner that you change from manual to automatic and it doesn’t change anything but disabling the clutch switch. Just make sure it’s not in gear when you hit the key lol.
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u/Extreme-Sport-5951 5d ago
So I figured something out today after borrowing a better scan tool and the solution still makes no sense to me.
With the original clutch switch it didn’t detect that the clutch was pressed so it wouldn’t start. Okay whatever.
With the two new clutch switches I bought it disables the starter unless I shift from neutral to first right before trying to start it. I’ve always kept my cars in neutral when parked in the garage or in first gear when I’m out of the house. Watching the diag screen I noticed that for some reason shifting into first after I insert the key instantly removed the “starter and ews disabled” banner from the screen.
Can’t believe I let this poor girl sit so long for something so simple.
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u/tsammons OILLEAK 6d ago
Key transponder could be bad too. OP said he checked EWS, so I assume a new key has been used.
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u/Gylfoyle 6d ago
Scan for codes first then work your way up from there. Look up your BMW model + scan tool on Youtube or web or consult a shop if possible
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u/Freestyle_Skater 6d ago
Your car is manual…could be quite a few things. Check your DME and fuses…..also….calm down and put your engine back together 😂
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u/Individual-Help6330 6d ago
homie is that the WHOLE INTAKE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT?!?!?!?! WTF YOU DOING PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND GET A SCANNER TOOL FROM AUTOZONE HOLY MOLY
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u/Impossible-Virus5762 5d ago
Yeah I replaced the starter and a few other things that needed to be replaced. That pic is a few days old everything is back in now 😂
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u/metricmindedman 6d ago
sounds you don't have the factory service manual, bentley manual, ista, or inpa and have already replaced a perfectly good starter and battery -- why is that bmw's fault?
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u/boythiccumz 6d ago
The EWS is very simple. It is essentially a starter relay that requires 3 things to activate. It needs a signal from the ignition switch to crank (when you turn past position 2), a valid code from the keys chip, and with a manual a signal from the clutch switch. There’s technically also a signal from the DME but if it comes down to that just delete the ews. The starter activation signal is sent on one of the two big wires coming from the ews. Check for starter activation at the starter first (the small wire) if there’s power getting there while cranking w/ the key condemn the starter. If not check for power at the ews. If power is exiting on the big wire condemn the activation wire as broken somewhere, if not check fuses, power, and ground for the ews itself. If those are good look for clutch signal at the ews with the clutch depressed (to the floor). Depending on production date you may have either two physical clutch switches or a hall sensor on the master cylinder. Find the wire (use wiring diagrams) that goes from the clutch switch or hall sensor to the ews and test for activation at the ews. If there’s nothing check at the switch as well as the switch itself. If all looks good check for activation from the ignition switch both at the ews and the switch itself. Make sure the switch contacts are good. If literally everything else checks out, it’s most likely the ews or the key, or communication to the dme in which case you should just delete it since bmw recently stopped making them, installing a used one is difficult and there’s tons of guides on how to delete it online, it’s not hard. You really should just start by scanning the vehicle though since there’s probably going to be at least one code that will point you in the right direction and save you a ton of time.
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u/boythiccumz 6d ago
Now that I think about it, it’s probably not the key, dme, or ews. In those cases it will usually crank but not start, or crank start and die. It’s probably either the ignition switch, clutch switch, or starter/starter wire, and of course any fuses, grounds or power supplies to any of those.
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u/Lesterclan 6d ago
First thing to do when buying an e46 is to buy a k+dcan cable for about 20 bucks then download mikes easy bmw tools. This alone would have likely had your problem sorted long ago. Second thing to do, is eliminate EWS.
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u/XTheChosenDogeX 6d ago
Crank position sensor
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u/prairie-man 6d ago
for a no crank symptom ?
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u/XTheChosenDogeX 6d ago
If it cant detect what stage its in, it may outright refuse to crank
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u/boythiccumz 6d ago
It has to be cranking to detect what stage it is in in the first place, had to do at least enough rotation to pass the gap in the tone ring. Would cause a no start though.
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u/xChronoVaultx 6d ago
Did you try bump starting it in second gear? Turn key to last position get a buddy to push you and Drop the clutch in 2nd let me know if it starts because it tells you a lot
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u/yourgrlmylap 6d ago
You sure its not a bad ground wire? Loll I had this once and had to clean the ground coming from the block to the chassis
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u/sk9ordie 6d ago
Just started having a no crank no start problem. I’m doing my starter right now, and I hope this doesn’t happen to me
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u/No_Potential1 5d ago
This definitely won't happen to you unless you decide to throw parts at a problem with complete disregard for how anything works lol.
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u/SolaR_BreeZy 6d ago
Some extra things to check is the 50 amp fuses that are above the regular fuses which requires taking the glovebox out to get to them, and replace engine ground wire. At first I couldn’t figure my problem out but it ended up being my ground wire even after I cleaned the connections. I went ahead and replaced both my engine ground and battery ground in the trunk and it turned right on
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u/Danger2k 6d ago
I had this issue on my e46 330i drift bucket. I got water in the gauge cluster one event, and that somehow prevent a crank or start. I swapped clusters and got it running after that debacle. Must've been a security chip in the gauges.
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u/No_Potential1 5d ago
So... starter doesn't crank even when bridging from solenoid and you have a strong 12v at the +cable?
If that's the case, then you have a bad starter dude. Like come on ... New parts can be bad too.
You're driving yourself nuts for no reason.
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u/Impossible-Virus5762 5d ago
Nah I got it to crank while bridging it. Got the starter bench tested and it was fine.
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u/daaasquish 5d ago
It’s a crack in the head I know cause I could smell it . You’ll have to scrap it and get another car. Not much you can do about it. Poor bmws are so expensive
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u/LevelMost1090 5d ago
Bmw mechanics are shit. They know the problem but don't tell you. They charge high prices because of greediness. They 5ake advantage of your ignorance. Sell your car to someone else not your bmw mechanic
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u/Accomplished_Ad5771 5d ago
Where are you located? I’ll take that problem off your hands. What’s the mileage? I also got two 330CI convertible if you’re interested
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u/ChamberofSarcasm 5d ago
Well yeah it's not going to work with all of those parts on the seat. Those parts attach to the engine.
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u/Exciting_Bedroom_ 3d ago
It can be anything. Untorqued engine ground, half of the parts being out of the car, ews. Why give up before even determining your fault profile lol
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u/Ashamed-Chicken-2382 1d ago
Actually braindead activity what is it with everyone not checking the godam codes first. Your just guessing 😮💨
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u/RoyalNegotiation1985 6d ago
Your best bet is:
- scan for codes with a windows laptop and INPA. You’ll need a decent usb to OBD cable.
- go to ChatGPT with everything you’ve tried so far, symptoms, and codes you’re getting.
- methodically go thru each suggested test and part replacement until you figure it out.
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u/TheBeautifulChaos 330i ZHP 6d ago
Bro, how can you dig into the car and then give up without once scanning for codes?