Press Start...nothing!

[OvalPiston]

I've been getting battery drain messages on my screen, so I replaced the battery (it was 6 years old).

With the new battery in place, it does the same thing! Press Start...nothing but one or two "clicks" from the starter.

Is it because I have to "register" the new battery?

[525DA_touring]

Ground Problem ?

Errorcodes in car ?

[OvalPiston]

No ground issue...battery negative terminal has solid non-corroded wire connected to frame in the trunk, also with no corrosion.

Lights, windows, dash, hatch...all work fully powered.

Holding down brake pedal, pressing Start, there is one or two "clicks" in engine bay but nothing.

[ryansbmw]

Starter gone bad?

[OvalPiston]

FOUND THE PROBLEM! A grounding strap must have deteriorated, because I hooked up jumper cables between the ground nut on the driver's side inside quarter panel under the hood, then I connected the other side to the back of the engine - there's a large metal "loop" that protrudes...started!!!

Now...where is the grounding strap(s)???

[Spaceme1117]

Originally Posted by OvalPiston

FOUND THE PROBLEM! A grounding strap must have deteriorated, because I hooked up jumper cables between the ground nut on the driver's side inside quarter panel under the hood, then I connected the other side to the back of the engine - there's a large metal "loop" that protrudes...started!!!

Now...where is the grounding strap(s)???

This thread in the X5 section has some information on where ground straps are located: https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=1632755

[OvalPiston]

Woah, what a job that'll be! I'll just connected a 19" battery cable from the driver's side front stabilizer bar under the hood to a bolt on the intercooler which is bolted to the engine. Starts super quick now!

[gamador]

Hello, I know this does not help with your current issue but I have a 2011 x5 50i, I have been dealing with the start problem the last couple of days, the car had been working fine and all of the sudden two days ago, I wnet to start it in the morning and it would not start, press the start button and lights come on but nothing else the car would not start. I thought/think it might be the starter, I had the same issue on the 328i, I started looking for some DYI's on it and found "Francisco's" video on that (His videos are great!). However, I remembered that sometimes when you hit the starer with a metal bar or screwdriver might help it start so I did and the darn thing started after that. Question is, how long would it work? Should I just go ahead and replace the starter? Thanks for any assistance on this.

[Spaceme1117]

Originally Posted by gamador

Hello, I know this does not help with your current issue but I have a 2011 x5 50i, I have been dealing with the start problem the last couple of days, the car had been working fine and all of the sudden two days ago, I wnet to start it in the morning and it would not start, press the start button and lights come on but nothing else the car would not start. I thought/think it might be the starter, I had the same issue on the 328i, I started looking for some DYI's on it and found "Francisco's" video on that (His videos are great!). However, I remembered that sometimes when you hit the starer with a metal bar or screwdriver might help it start so I did and the darn thing started after that. Question is, how long would it work? Should I just go ahead and replace the starter? Thanks for any assistance on this.

If the starter worked by manually engaging it, then likely it the vehicle grounding points that are corroded.

This is a common problem on many vehicles especially those that are sensitive to electrical problems.

[gamador]

Hello, Thank you Spaceme1117. Will check on that. I have turn the car off and on about 10 times or so and it starts right up.

[OvalPiston]

You can test by hooking up a jumper cable connected to the frame ground and the back of the engine, or somewhere connected to the engine is a solid metal part. If it starts, then it's a corroded ground strap(s).