Clicking when trying to turn over

Really hoping someone can help me with this.
I own an E46 318i coupe 2000 and recently it has developed a starting problem.
It will sometimes start but then when I turn it off and try to restart it again all I get is 'click click click' and the headlights flash
Ive changed the battery and its still the same.
Has anyone had this before??

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Changed the battery and did not work any better right from the start?

Click, click is coming from starter area?

If problem never improved with new battery at all, suspect an erratic starter.

Another possibility:

If you continued to drive on the old battery, you might have damaged the alternator (not unheard of in cases like this). Have the output checked on yours....

Check all ground wires, make sure they`re clean & tight.

The alternator won't affect starting. OP I think you need a new starter.

Originally Posted by scarede46er

The alternator won't affect starting. OP I think you need a new starter.

You`re missing the point, Zippy. If the alternator was cooked due to driving on the old battery for too long, the *new* battery wouldn`t last very long either....

Originally Posted by Fast Bob

You`re missing the point, Zippy. If the alternator was cooked due to driving on the old battery for too long, the *new* battery wouldn`t last very long either....

Yes, agreed. But OP mentioned that he was unable to start his car even with the brand new battery installed.

Is this a 5-speed manual or auto box? If it's a manual transmission, put the car in 3rd gear and rock the car a little... This will free the starter gear being stuck to the flywheel. I suspect the little gear at the end of the starter is probably stuck and not moving back and forth like it should because due to age of the starter.

I would still jump start the car while cranking over the motor with the new battery. I just helped my next door neighbor with the exact starting problem on his 325i last week.

I'd suspect either a bad starter or bad connections.

Thankyou very much for the replys
Ive bought a starter so will fit that over the weekend n see what I have. Its a frustrating problem because it doesn't do it at all now with the new battery. Yet it did still have the problem when I first fit the new battery.

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Originally Posted by darrenarnold

Thankyou very much for the replys
Ive bought a starter so will fit that over the weekend n see what I have. Its a frustrating problem because it doesn't do it at all now with the new battery. Yet it did still have the problem when I first fit the new battery.

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Better brush up on your curse words before attempting to install that starter....

Originally Posted by Fast Bob

Better brush up on your curse words before attempting to install that starter....

It'd help if the OP needed a new clutch. When I get around to doing mine I am replacing my starter with a BRAND new one. Easy to do when the trans is missing.

Originally Posted by darrenarnold

Ive bought a starter

You bought a new battery and a new starter, and there's no mention of use of a $20 DMM?

Tell me that's not true.

- Common tools needed for your BMW & an obdii DTC scanner & an SRS reset tool & accurate measurement tools & specialty cooling system tools

See also:
- How much does personality type play a role in how people approach an unexpected BMW repair (1)

A dmm?

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Oh of course. . A multi meter lol.
I actually have 1, but didn't really think to use it

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