I need help!! My e46 01 m3 is having what seems to be an electrical or ignite problem

[briand102]

This is the third time this has happened to my car. I turn my key and my car refuses to start. Then after a week it randomly started to start again. I chrged th battery its not that. I can pop the clutch and start it and drive it fine but once i stop the engine it wont start. No lights are on the dash that warns me of a problem. eveything seems to work normally especcially once the car is running. Has anyone had this problem or have an idea what could be wrong with it??? any onformation would be very helpful thank you

[joeg92083]

u must be the gayest guy ever!!!!

[KamilMk]

I really never heard of anyone having that kind of a problem with the E46s... And since you said it's not the battery, I don't really know what could be wrong... Maybe something with the wireing?

[CassiesMan]

Originally Posted by KiillaKam

I really never heard of anyone having that kind of a problem with the E46s... And since you said it's not the battery, I don't really know what could be wrong... Maybe something with the wireing?

This seems to be happening to a lot of cars lately. My Dad's benz had the problem, then my room mate's TSX, and a buddy of mine back home with a Lexus just started getting this. In all three cases its been the same thing, so it might be the case here. Something electrical in the car is continually on, even after you turn the car off. With my dad's MB, it was the power seats. With the TSX, the radio, even though the speakers weren't playing anything, the radio was still running even after the car was off. They haven't figured out what it is on my bud's Lexus, but I'm sure he'll keep me updated.

It all seems to be in the wiring, like there is still a charge in after you turn the car off, and it screws with the igntion.

However, I've also heard about this on other Ms, the older ones, having probelms with the ignition coils/wires. That could quite possibly be your problem if the battery is holding a charge. If that is the case, check out bavauto or some of the other aftermarket OEM parts suppliers and see if you can get some new ignition coils/wires (not sure what the E46 Ms use, I believe its coils). I think that might fix your problem.

[KamilMk]

Originally Posted by CassiesMan

This seems to be happening to a lot of cars lately. My Dad's benz had the problem, then my room mate's TSX, and a buddy of mine back home with a Lexus just started getting this. In all three cases its been the same thing, so it might be the case here. Something electrical in the car is continually on, even after you turn the car off. With my dad's MB, it was the power seats. With the TSX, the radio, even though the speakers weren't playing anything, the radio was still running even after the car was off. They haven't figured out what it is on my bud's Lexus, but I'm sure he'll keep me updated.

It all seems to be in the wiring, like there is still a charge in after you turn the car off, and it screws with the igntion.

However, I've also heard about this on other Ms, the older ones, having probelms with the ignition coils/wires. That could quite possibly be your problem if the battery is holding a charge. If that is the case, check out bavauto or some of the other aftermarket OEM parts suppliers and see if you can get some new ignition coils/wires (not sure what the E46 Ms use, I believe its coils). I think that might fix your problem.

Wow, that's interesting that you know so many folks with that problem... And all with different vehicles also...
I just don't know anybody with a problem of such nature...
But like you said about the older Ms having problems like those, I've heard of them before, just never on the e46s...
Something I'll defenitely look into myself, just to know if it's not an issue on a lot of the Ms...

[Foxster88]

personally.. it sounds like the starter just wont turn over.. that could be because of bad running of wire.. or it could just be because the cars a few years old, i know in my F-350 ive had to replace the starter twice because its just gotten worn out over time (its an old F-350) and somtimes it would start and others it would just sit there and click click click, once i replaced the starter though it worked just fine.. its a cheap piece, inless you have to redo the whole thing on a bmw that might be 150ish+ not sure.