starting a car ......... (2004 E53 3.0 D Auto )

[omodos]

jeez took a decent sound recording/video of my startup to my mechanic and he thinks its the battery (but fails to appreciate that it maybe the starter amp draw 'sucking too many amps' at each start, draining the battery)

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Smeeagain"]
Ok, so a bit of a case of one step forward two steps back. THe current draw was fine (around 200 if I recall correctly). The garage has agreed though that the battery, although tested fine, is probably on the way out as it went flat while they were working on it - doors open, ignition on etc. At its a Bosch Silver S5 and 3 years old they are going to replace under warranty.

Now I happenned to notice that there have been other instances of it going flat when the ignition has been left in the on position for a couple of mins so not sure if there is another issues at play or simply a failing battery.

However, the starter has been sounding rough and 'grindy' on start up. They didn't have the time to do much investigation but have said it may be the ring gear where the starter goes into the engine. It would need the gearbox out if that was the case and they would ship it out to a gearbox specialist (which I can obviously do myself

So two questions - can anyone think of any problems that could flatten the battery simply by having the ignition on for a couple of mins?
Could they remove the starter and inspect with it removed both at starter end and engine end to look for worn teeth, before we go to the stage of removing the gearbox?

Thanks
Smee
[/quote]

Anyway, back to Smee's post. I'm thinking that regardless of the ring gear needing done or not the starter needs replaced (the sound from it is horrendous) so will change that before the box comes out and the battery is going to be replaced under warranty so we will see what happens

Smee

[Smeeagain]

Just a thought taking a step back for a moment. The battery has been identified as ailing and is being replaced under warranty on Friday.

Before I go to spend £200 on starter and associated labour, is it possible that an ailing battery would cause the starter to not engage properly and therefore sound a bit iffy?

Smee

[X5Sport]

Yes.  If the battery cannot supply what the starter needs then it wouldn't sound very happy.  Certainly worth waiting until the battery has been done before committing any further funds.

R

[sid10]

Had the same trouble with mine over the last year , bit the bullet & got the starter motor replaced by dealer . What a difference starts first time every time brilliant well worth the money , totally sick of it not starting !

[Smeeagain]

mine starts first time, thats not the problem, but sounds 'grindy'

[Smeeagain]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Yes.  If the battery cannot supply what the starter needs then it wouldn't sound very happy.  Certainly worth waiting until the battery has been done before committing any further funds.

R
[/quote]

But assuming it was the battery - I get the grindy sound so I switch off the ignition and try again and then it may be fine so if it was the battery surely it would struggle on the second attempt even more given that we've drawn some cranking amps power out of it ...... which makes me think if it is fine on the second or third turn of the key that it may be the starter that's causing the issues rather then the battery 9which is being replaced anyway causing the start issues .... ?
So replace battery only or start too on the same garage visit?

Smee

[X5Sport]

If the starter is only 'grindy' on the 1st attempt that would tend to indicate something isn't right with it I agree.

A new/charged battery should be able to manage several start attempts with no obvious signs of distress.

It could be a bearing failure or rotor issue but without taking the starter off there is no way to check either it or the ring gear it engages into.

R