Starter issue or what

[RacingDreamz]

Hi. I have a 99 BMW M3 convertible. It has about 110K miles, all original. Recently, the car has not been starting. Put the key in, turn it, nothing. Take it out, a few times, it'll start. We don't drive this car that much so it's started once a week, or so. This has been going on for a few weeks, or maybe, a couple of months. We did drive the car about 3 weeks ago all week and it started every time. Then let the car sit again for a week or so, now it won't start. Everything else works fine. Ran the OBD on it and everything checked out. Battery is full. Just won't start or turn over the engine. Has my starter gone bad? Also, if I need a new starter, how hard is it to change? Thanks in advance for all your help and advise.

[Matt at Pelican Parts]

Hi RacingDreamz,

When you turn the key can you hear any clicking or noise from the starter? If you need a new starter it will require removing the intake manifold to access. I would also suggest looking to the ignition switch as well. If you give the key a good jiggle when trying to start the car, sometimes that works.

[RacingDreamz]

Matt, thanks for the reply. I just tried your suggestion of giving the key a good jiggle and nothing happened. So, after trying everything else, it must be the starter. Now to try to find a reputable shop to change it. Thanks again, sir.

[Matt at Pelican Parts]

When I was a teenager I used to have an old 95 5-series with a similar motor. It was a bit of a beater. Sometimes when it couldn't kick over id have to get out a long screwdriver, poke it down through the intake manifold and give the starter a good "whack"

You might be able to see if you can get to crank using that method but overall, I would say probably a bad starter if all the electronics work find. The key has an immobilizer chip that also reads a ring on the ignition. Rarely, but sometime those can go bad as well.

Best of luck!