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E64 645ci Start Issues

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Nesquik645 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nesquik645 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: E64 645ci Start Issues
    Posted: 24 Jul 2019 at 8:33pm
Hi, I'm not sure if this is been touched on before but I've not managed to find anything in regards to my issue. 

Basically the car was running fine until one day I drove it to an appointment and when I back in, it didn't want to start. It made a click noise First guess was starter motor. I had the AA guy come out and he tried to jump start it and noting (from the front points not directly to the battery).

I got the car towed home and into my workshop and did all the googling away possible. After I cleaning the earth wire at the bottom of the car (drivers side) I actually managed to jump start it. 

Then came the costly bit Unhappy this was all done due to diagnostics readings and people telling me what the issue could be. So I checked the fuses and they was fine, Its had a new battery (genuine BMW) fitted and programmed, a new IBS lead (genuine BMW), new fuse box thingy that sits next to the ecu as it apparently contains a relay (genuine BMW), and a new starter motor fitted (genuine BMW) and still no joy Cry  It just makes a click noise and thats it but If attach jump leads to the points under the hood its able to jump start.  

I'd appreciate any info or possible causes if anyone out there knows about it. I'm sure people have had this issue as I've seen similar mentioned on other forums but no ones offered a solution or said what the fault was Wacko  

Just want to get it back on the road!
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Norrie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Norrie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 2019 at 8:58pm
I am no expert, but have had a similar issue with my E65. New battery and lead fitted. You may have something which is seriously draining the battery like some kind of module problem. Lucky for me I still have warranty as it seems it takes a very long time for dealers to find out exactly which module has failed. Is the engine management light on yellow or red? I sounds like if you can jump start if without the ignition being turned or pressed that may be your issue. But without full diagnostics check its a guess.
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Nesquik645 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nesquik645 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 2019 at 9:23pm
Thanks for getting in touch, I’ve got no engine management lights on at all, and the ibs cables along with battery where replaced and programmed. I’ll start having to look at the relays and stuff I guess 
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Roger123 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roger123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jul 2019 at 10:23am
You say it starts ok when an external battery is jumper connected to the points under the bonnet.  I assume that the same jump leads and battery will then fail to start it if they are connected directly onto the battery in the boot.  If this is your scenario, then it looks like either the IBS (at the battery) or the big thick 12 volt power cable to the front of the car is possibly faulty.

Try tracing this cable through from the battery, check for cuts or abrasions which could limit the amount of current it can pass, and also check the tightness and cleanliness of the cable termination under the bonnet.  Poor connections, dirty, loose or frayed wires, will all help limit the considerable amount of power that is required to turn the starter motor and crank the engine.
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Nesquik645 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nesquik645 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jul 2019 at 12:42pm
hey thanks for that, I’m track the 12v cable and see what I find I’m hoping I’m not far from the fix now. The ibs cable and battery where replaced by bmw but made no difference 🙈 and what’s real crazy is they can’t find the issue either cuz all they doing is going off the diagnostics and that’s not showing any codes apart from reverse light failure 🙈 (due to water getting into it. I’ll keep you updated on the findings of this cable 👍🏽
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Mike Fishwick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jul 2019 at 1:22pm
I bet BMW did not reimburse you for the useless work!  Did you ask for a refund?

From your comments I would make a guess -and it can only be a guess - that the battery terminals are loose of corroded, or that the engine earth cable is attached to a corroded piece of metal.

Remember that the engine earth is usually attached to the aluminium casting which joins the engine to the RH mount.  Corroded aluminium is a good insulator, so the engine mounting bracket and cable lug should be coated in vaseline etc.  Also suspect all the cable lugs, as they are crimped onto the cables rather than being soldered.

These suspicions could be easily checked if you have a voltmeter and know how to use it, but otherwise you are condemned to diagnosis by internet forum, which is seldom effective or cheap - just buying new bits in the hope that they will cure the problem can cost more than getting a decent auto-electrical specialist to look at things.
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Nesquik645 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nesquik645 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jul 2019 at 2:28pm
Thanks for that I’ll get my brother to check it for me as he’s an electrical engineer at jlr. 

I did ask for a refund but I was told the parts where checked and was found faulty so needed to be replaced anyway. I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle and just want to get my car on the road again🙃
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Mike Fishwick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jul 2019 at 9:35pm
Your brother sounds like the ideal person!  The 'faults' were probably small signs of normal use - the moral being to avoid BMW dealers!  I was told that my car needed a new set of wheels . . . becase they were over 10 years old!

No doubt the dealer would have thought of some reason why the old parts had to be returned to BMW.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nesquik645 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2019 at 11:13am
Hey everyone, firstly thanks to all of you that replied and helped me Smile So the 645 is finally started and running again Big smile 

So I tracked the 12v cable and found it was corroded at every connection point and wasn't making a full connection. After cleaning them up and coating it in vaseline it started no problems. It's gone off to get MOT'd and when it comes back I want to get a new cable and connection bolts put on for my own piece of mind. 

I went off to the dealers and told them what the problem was and I got told its because I've lowered the car Disapprove I don't like my local dealer as they are rude and very unhelpful so I went to Nottingham and thought I'll order my cable through them. I went to the parts guy and he asked for my reg to locate the right cable and then he went away for some time on his computer and come back saying I've got news for you, I feared the worse lol, The news he had was great he gave me a letter explaining the cars due for a recall on the 12v cable as it is known to corrode over time at the connection points. Smile  So now the beast will be going to Nottingham BMW for the recall once it's back from the MOT. 

Again a big thanks to all that replied and helped me.Thumbs Up now go check if your motors are due for the recall too. 

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Nesquik645 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nesquik645 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2019 at 11:21am
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