car wont start!!

[witepsycho]

i came out to my car today from work, and my car wont start, battery isnt dead. im thinking maybe its my starter..car wont try to turn over or anything, wont even click...any ideas?? and where exactly is the starter at, anyone have any pics?? its a 2000 328ci

 

[Big Daddy]

Why do you say the battery isn't dead? If this is the original battery you are due for a new one! I replaced my three year old battery a couple of days ago, had 12 volts but 0 cranking amps and you cannot tell that without a tester. Have the battery checked, it is the least expensive place to start.

 

[Tom]

Did you check to see if the terminals are securely fastened? Also if its an automatic make sure the shifter is securely in Parked.

If not, it could simply be a bad key. Try starting the car with the spare.

 

[witepsycho]

i dont have a spare key. and how can i get the battery tested if im at the parking lot at work? take it out and take it to the store? and i say its not the battery because all the electronics in my car still worked, and my brother had jumper cables from his cat to mine for about 15 minutes and we still got nothing

 

[Big Daddy]

Unfortunately yes you will have to take the battery out and take it to a place that can test them! I could sit and listen to the radio, turn on the headlamps etc with mine as well. I tried to explain that it still had 12 volts, enough to run most everything in the car, except the starter, that requires cranking amps. If your battery has no cranking amps, sitting with it on jumper cables will do nothing, besides you cannot charge a battery in 15 minutes. I am willing to bet your battery is the culpirt.

 

[witepsycho]

well just incase it IS the starter, anyone know where i can find a pic of where the starter is?? any help would be apprectiated

 

[witepsycho]

its not the battery. got it testd last night and it was fine. besides the starter, i dont know where else to look

 

[witepsycho]

??????

 

[Section_8]

Can you start the car with a jump even?

Do you get lights in the cabin if you turn the key, but don't try to start it?

If you do get power and the dash lights up, turn it as far as you can w/o trying to crank. Do you have a SES light flipped (or anything lit up that isn't usual)?

 

[witepsycho]

everything in the cabin works, all the lights light up, radio works, windows roll up and down. only other thing i can think of is the starter...advance auto charges 190 for it with a 30$ core fee...i may go order it today

 

[Big Daddy]

It is $123.00 for the starter at Arizona Autohaus, granted there is an $83.00 core, but that is refunded to you.

Arizona Autohaus

 

[ThatOneGuy]

Bad ignition switch, it's not uncommon.

 

[Kirby]

Before you buy a starter, you should do some more troubleshooting. I am not familiar with any ignition defeat system, but who knows? The ignition switch is a good suggestion, could be a bad fuse or relay.

The best way to troubleshoot this is with a manual/schematic diagram and a volt meter. Hooking a meter, or even a 12v light bulb to the starter will tell you if the starter is getting voltage. Then go from there.

 

[witepsycho]

im gogint to go today to get a haynes book for it...the car is at my work and has been since thursday which is about 15 miles away...i hope i can figure it tout and its not too expensive, if its not the starter, ill take that bitch back

 

[Big Daddy]

Haynes manuals are useless, get a Bentley!

 

[witepsycho]

couldnt find a haynes for my car anyway where can i get a bentley

 

[Kirby]

Unless you can find it locally at a European Car Parts specialty store, Amazon is good choice.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0837603269/104-0546395-9707907?v=glance&n=283155

 

[William330]

Why not flatbed the car to the local dealer? Perhaps the local dealer will even help you get your car there.

 

[witepsycho]

cause the local dealer is about 30 miles from my house, and i aint tryin to pay that money for them to tell me its another 300-400$ part

 

[witepsycho]

everyone is beating around teh bush...i have asked a few times...does anyone have a pic of the starter under the hood??? or know where i can find it on the net???