New Battery, New Starter, New Earth Strap..still no crank no start.

[ClevelandE89]

2009 Z4, 30i 6 speed manual E89

Put in a New Battery, New Starter, New Earth Strap.. then bypassed the Intelligent battery sensor from the negative terminal. Still no start. Bump starting the car works and it fires up and runs fine! (6 speed manual) As soon as I turn it off, no crank no start when hitting the start button.

When hitting the start button, I do hear a series of clicks in the dash, and maybe like a electrical motor turning or trying to turn? Seems the starter motor is not engaging. But again, new starter is in there, new battery. I am thinking it has to be a relay or electrical something above my pay-grade? Verified there is power to the starter. (Only thing I have not done is remove the new starter to do a bench test)

As a last ditch attempt I had tech come out and program a new key fob, which he did successfully. The new key fob will open the doors and trunk, and will light up the dash, like the original. All seems normal until you hit the start button and dreams crushed again.

Can it still be a rolling code or immobilizer issue. (I still do not fully understand those two things, nor how to go about diagnosing)

I ran a scan through the OBD...no codes! WTF?

Desperate here. Any ideas welcome. I am on a waiting list at the only shop in my area that I feel can solve this mystery. However they are very back logged and no telling when they can get me in. I have track days and rallys scheduled....feeling a strong sense of doom!

Happy to take video and post if anyone thinks they have any idea for trouble shooting.

[B21]

When / how did the problem start ?

[KennyP]

hmm...
one potential thing came to mind...
you know how you have to press the clutch pedal to start the car?

well clutch pedal has an electrical switch that tells the ecu that clutch has been pressed.. and then starts the car...

But if this switch has failed ecu never recognizes your clutch press, and car wont start.

Worth a look.. quite common for them to fail.

[ClevelandE89]

Originally Posted by KennyP

hmm...
one potential thing came to mind...
you know how you have to press the clutch pedal to start the car?

well clutch pedal has an electrical switch that tells the ecu that clutch has been pressed.. and then starts the car...

But if this switch has failed ecu never recognizes your clutch press, and car wont start.

Worth a look.. quite common for them to fail.

Ah!! I will check into the ASAP. Thanks for the tip. Did not know about that switch.

[ClevelandE89]

Originally Posted by B21

When / how did the problem start ?

Started about a month ago and I have been replacing things one at a time. It drove fine all day, then pulled it in the garage, and 10 minutes later went to start it....no go.

[KennyP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaizFW7DHRQ

this video may help...

[KennyP]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/Z4...&b=10&d=829&v=

Replacement parts can be seen here...

[KennyP]

Adding service manual pages aswell...

[ClevelandE89]

Originally Posted by KennyP

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/Z4...&b=10&d=829&v=

Replacement parts can be seen here...

Kenny! GREAT STUFF! This will be my next move. Thanks for the link to the vid and the part.

[ClevelandE89]

Originally Posted by KennyP

Adding service manual pages aswell...

ACES! Appreciate you.