[spragmatic]

My e46 M3 starts just fine but after turning it off it cannot be restarted for about 2 hours.

The battery is completely fine but perhaps it is the starter or the anti-theft system?

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[tim330i]

Welcome to Bimmerfest! I've moved your question to our E46 M3 forum, you'll get more help in here. When you say it won't start, what happens?

Tim

 

[spragmatic]

Thanks, Tim!

I wanted to make a video, but will have to do it when I get back to the car tomorrow... the electrical stuff seems fine and it just won't start.

Is there some sound or lights I should be looking for to help narrow down the possibilities?

 

[tim330i]

Is your check engine light on? Does it crank but not fire, or not even cranks?

 

[spragmatic]

The check engine light comes off and on periodically and has been doing so for about 7 months... prior to the starting issue

When it fails to start these days (when attempted to be started within 2 hours of being shut off).. It clicks once and wont start despite all the electrical aspects of the car continuing to work fine

Thank you for the response, Tim!

P.S. I am a bit disappointed to say that I do not know how to tell if it is a crank or a click.. or even a fire.. but there is only one sound.. on the first attempt to start the click happens after a delay.. and then on subsequent attempts the click is immediate but no firing on any accounts. I will make a video ASAP

 

[tim330i]

Click(s) means it makes a little noise but won't physically turn the engine.
Cranks means the starter engages and turns the engine but it won't fire up.

A car and have a dead battery and not start, but it also doesn't crank over. A car could be out of fuel and crank but not fire.

Do you have SMG by chance?

Tim

 

[spragmatic]

It's a manual and I would say that it clicks but no crank. Thanks for the reply!

 

[veery]

Get your codes read (since you've had intermittent SES light) and have your battery and charging system tested.