Out with the old, in with the new...Problems! Need help ASAP!

[BMR BOY]

OK, on Saturday the First of May, I was rear-ended in my '93 325i sport package. The guy was doing over 40 mph in his Explorer, and just straight ran into me at a stoplight while he fiddled with his CD's. I had no warning so I was pretty shaken up. Anyway, since I knew it was totalled (my trunk was relocated into my backseat; looked scarily like a TI!), I immediately began searching for a new one. I'd heard too many good things about the 328, so I got me one. A buddy of mine is a used Beemer salesman, and I ended up closing the deal on one he had bought earlier that morning, four days after my wreck. It's a 1996 328i, four-door, premium package, 5-speed, light gray Montana leather, full power, Montreal Blue, etc. But wait...49,000 Original miles, one owner! Too good to be true. The day after I bought it, I drove to the store 15 mins away, and when I came back 20 mins later, it wouldn't start. It didn't turn over, but all the lights came on like normal, they didn't dim or anything. 10 minutes later, it just started like normal. For the last two days, it just won't start period. The lights still come on, but it just goes "click". All the nearby Beemer mechanics say it's the battery or the alternator. But I've tried jumping it, and when I roll-start it, it'll run forever; that definately isn't it. Today, I pulled out the steering column covers, and tested the ignition. The black colored one with a yellowish stripe is the actual starter wire, and it's working properly. I've also bonked on my starter (will usually force starters on the brink of breakdom to work a few more times), and that didn't do it. I REALLY don't want to have to pull my intake to get my starter out if there's anything else to check. Is there a relay? AAAAHHH!!! I can't park on a hill everywhere! Help please!
BMR BOY
1996 328i-Four door-Premium package
18" Falken Koblenz w/Falken FK-451
Clear corners
That's it!!!

[stupenal]

problem could be the plastic piece at the end of the ignition. the plastic sometimes comes loose inside and when you turn the key, it doesnt catch the plastic at the end to turn on the car. did you take a look to see if ur plastic is all in tact?

[BMR BOY]

Umm, not sure which end of the ignition you're talking about. The key end, or the wire end? And how do I check that? When I hook up a current tester to the Black/Greenish wire, I get a current in the start position. The green wire is the "on" position, the Red wire is always powered. I'm pretty sure the ignition is ok. Let me know which plastic piece of the ignition you're talking about! Thanks for the help!
BMR BOY

[stupenal]

that orange thing. to remove it, look from underneath and you'll see two holes filled with putty. Scrape it off and underneath you'll see two small flat screws you can remove. The plastic orange thing will come off and you'll see exactly how the ignition works. When you turn the key, at the plastic end there is a metal piece that connects inside the plastic and that turns too, turning the plastic piece and then starting the car. If you stick a screwdriver into the plastic piece you can manually start the car. In a way...this makes it REALLY easy to steal our cars. Hope this helps.

The problem you might have is that the plastic piece inside is broken and thus when you turn the key, the plastic part inside doesnt turn as much and cant turn to the ON position. Once you take it apart you'll see what Im talking about.

This is only a speculation as I've read this happens before (I had to replace the entire ignition but I fiddled with this trying to determine my problem).

[BMR BOY]

Thanks for the input Stupenal. I had my car looked at, and apparently everything in the starting chain is good (Battery, igntion, alternater, starter, etc), but the problem lies within the alarm system. Apparently there's a module that controls the starter, as well as the central locks, etc. Which tends to fail. It's located behind the glovebox. So I'll check that out next. Thanks for the input though!
BMR BOY