2005 X3 - Will not crank - Have tried every recommendation

Last week I got up to go to work, got in my 2005 X3 (123,000 miles) turned the key, and nothing. The lights on the dash lit up, but turning the key to position 2 was fruitless. There was not even a hint of a crank.... just, nothing.

I began doing research here and on other forums. I have tried everything so far.

This is what I've ruled out
1) The battery. Today I purchased a new battery, and no change. Nada. 160 bucks down the drain.
2) Fuses. I've checked all of the fueses, they're good.
3) Gasoline- Gas was filled up the night before I went to start it.
4) SES/Check engine lights

About a week before the mishap, my key stopped locking and unlocking the doors. I learend the pairing trick, and that made the key come back alive. I'm aware that the starting and lock/unlock systems are separate.

My mechanic came over and ran his fancy scanner through the OBD port. He said the Immobiliser is fine, and the car recognizes the key, so that's not the problem. He went on to say it's probably starter and would take about 6 hours to change. If it was the starter, wouldn't it at least try to crank? Wouldn't it give me some warning before hand?

My question to you guys is... Is there anything helpful you might be able to think up? If it's the starter, I might have to fix it myself. A link to a DIY for the X3 would be extremely helpful if there is one.

Searching for advice.... I'm at my wits end.

Thank you

A starter can fail at any time and without warning; in fact, if it shorts out, it can not only keep you from starting the car, but will stop a running car dead -- I know, 'cause it happened to me about 3 months ago with an '89 Firebird Formula that I have. Fortunately, the vehicle was in my driveway at the time it happened...

A bad (i.e., shorted) starter will not crank the engine; it's just a fancy doorstop at that point. And you may or may not have electrical power in such cases; it just seems to be somewhat random...

My guess is your mechanic is probably diagnosing the problem properly, but I couldn't even begin to lodge an opinion about his labor estimate for replacement on an X3.

Your mechanic is right, it is a bad starter. Probably solenoid is stuck frozen.
I have the same issues like this before on other vehicles.

Originally Posted by jerome200

My mechanic came over and ran his fancy scanner through the OBD port. He said the Immobiliser is fine, and the car recognizes the key, so that's not the problem. He went on to say it's probably starter and would take about 6 hours to change. If it was the starter, wouldn't it at least try to crank? Wouldn't it give me some warning before hand?
Thank you

Six hours???? That sounds crazy

Ok.. Thanks for the advice, although I'll check back here for more. I've read some posts about kicking the starter to get the solenoid going. Is this even a feasible solution? I am replacing a transmission on my 04' audi at the moment, and these car bills are starting to get my blood boiling.

Originally Posted by jerome200

... I've read some posts about kicking the starter to get the solenoid going. Is this even a feasible solution...?

It's worth a shot. Sometimes a sharp rap on the starter housing will free up the solenoid, if that's the culprit. But if it's shorted out, you're SOL...

I have a similar issue but mine is intermitten. Usually starts fine but if it does not start first time the following attempts usually stop after quarter second or so or do nothing at all as discribed above. Voltages are good. Battery is good. Jump starting does not help only thing you can do is wait and eventually it starts right up. Longest it has taken is about an hour...usually after a few minutes. Seems to only happen when the engine is warm like driving around town. Tried changing keys and no error codes...dealship wants to replace starter but again when it starts it starts very well and not sign of it not working properly. Seems something is interupting the process or blocking it. I have also tried putting it in neutral and back as suggested by dealership. Just can't seem to identify what is causing the issue. I just got this car few months ago and have replaced air conditioner, DSC 4x4 postion sensor, window regulator and now this....not what I expected on a car with 73,000 miles on it.

Hi I am having problems with my X3. I went to get the battery checked because it was hesitating starting in the mornings, they told me it was a bad battery, so i got a new battery, but it still won't start. The lights and radio come on but the ignition will not start (turn)??? Now, i am not sure how reprogram the key (s). or even if i have to reprogram the key(s).