kyto

Hope someone can help me out. I just replaced a battery on a 95 M3. I don't drive the car everyday. There's power when I turn the ignition but the car won't start. I don't hear anything when the I turn the ignition. I guess you're suppose to hear some clicking noises. Has anyone had a similar experience? I thought maybe it's the starter, but I called a local BMW repair shop and they said it might be the battery itself. They said they have to yet to replace a starter on one of these. Anyone know the life duration for a starter? Any input would really help. Thanks!

TheScientist

now, you're saying theres power when you turn the battery on, but the starter won't start when you turn the ignition? It sounds like there could be a rupture in the connection from the starter to the battery, and possible the fuel injection, and ignition coil. Just some possibilities.

kyto

Originally, I thought it was the new battery but that checked out fine. Then I thought it was the starter, but that checked out fine as well so I'm thinking it could be one of the problems you pointed out. I ended up taking the car in for diagnostic. Just hoping it's nothing too serious. Thanks for the response.

TheScientist

Hey, anytime man. Let me know on your progress, I'd like to see how your M3 is in a while.

kyto

FYI. Got a call back from local BMW dealer and the problem is a faulty key. This is something new to me. I guess there's a code in the key that disables the ignition if something's wrong with it. I'll get the new key in a few days and I'm hoping that's the solution. Like I said, I've never heard of anything like this.

TheScientist

It's a big possibility. BMWs have been equipped with microchip sensory equipment for the ignition for security reasons, like Mercedes-Benz's laser-encoded keys. The chip in your key probably had a bad, or faulty chip inside it, so the ignition sensor which allows you to turn on the car with the proper key didn't read its set code, so the ignition parts were disengaged by the computer. Catch my drift? It happened with my dads 1998 BMW 740i.