XSeries-forum

Hi everyone,

I've got a bit of a problem with my 52 Reg 4.6is. Ever since I've owned the car (almost 12 months), the starter motor has made an odd noise on starting, but the car has never failed or even hesitated to start. Anyway, I bought a new starter motor a couple of months back, but have only just got round to fitting it. I hadn't used the X5 for about 3 weeks, so the battery went flat, so I jump started it and drove it into my garage to change the starter motor. The car cut out just as I pulled it in (It has never happened before, but just assumed it was due to the battery being weak), and it the battery was still down, it only clicked and wouldn't start. So I cracked on with changing the starter. Now, after charging the battery, I haven't been able to get the car started. The ignition comes on fine, dash light up, everything works in the car, it just won't start! There is no clicking or anything, just nothing happens at all when turning the key from ignition to start. Checked power down at the starter and there's no power getting to it. No obvious signs of anything wrong on the wiring front and prior to changing the starter, there was never any issue starting, but the car did cut out (which was a first) after moving it. With hindsight I should have powered it up then prior to changing the starter over, but I didn't think it would be an issue.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Cheers

Mike

Are you certain that battery is ok, just wondered if you have had a meter on when you tried to crank to see if the voltage is collapsing? Just a thought as it was sat dead for a while and if it wasn’t new anyway it could be useless even after you’ve charged it, I think the dash will light up even down to a fairly pitiful voltage that is no good for anything else, an easy check to do at any rate.

How old is the battery? if over 6 years I would replace anyway (winter is on its way).
I had a similar thing with my car, it would not do a jump start from another fully charged battery.
Got a new battery and away it went.

Lez

Battery is tested and find and less than 12 months old.

Will happily run the stereo, heater, lights and anything else without any issues, but it is properly tested.

Have you checked if you have 12v at the connection at the bulkhead in the engine compartment. It could be a loose connection at the battery. Lights up the lights ok but doesn't permit major current draw, for example if when you try and start does the lights go out and come back on when you release the key. I know you said it worked ok before changing starter but it could be a coincidence that they have failed at this time. You did say it cut out before starting your work