k40 and ignition switch are prone to wear,I replaced both,been fine for 5 years now

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

order good switch from here

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

brand new battery, connections are all clean, new as well , there is so little on the starter motor diagnostics here or anywhere, but that is where I am leaning as the issue. I am going to replace CPS , just so I rule that out , and as mentioned already replaced the cube relay on the K40 module. If I get the energy up this weekend I may try accessing the starter , at least to check the connections

This car is well cared for, 0 rust , 141K on the clock

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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

Have someone look at the engine driven fan / drive belts to confirm the engine is actually rotating while the starter is " whirring ". I've seen the one way clutch in starter drives fail and customer state car cranks but won't start. Cold temps are a tip off as the grease gets stiff preventing the clutch from engaging.



A failed cat won't cause your problems.

you may be onto something 97 , that was the feelling I got when the whirring occurred, like it was not engaging, and it was cold. So that would require a replacement or can the starter be serviced ?

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

oldsinner, what do you mean by "ignition switch" the key way? this year has the electronic gizmo key

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

This car has "flick start" meaning the starter will keep on running till the engine fires, you physically do not have to hold the key to start. Just twist and leave it.

The starter will let go after 10 seconds of cranking and no rpm signal above 300.

If the starter is stopping midway, you need to hot wire the starter and test it for health. Remove the box cover and you will see the K40 relay, The center connector has a thick purple/white wire. Remove this connector and wire up a jumper from the positive jump start post. Apply 12V positive to this wire with it removed from the K40, the engine should start to crank even with key not in the switch. (make sure car is in P)

if it cranks good and fast. the starter is good.

Next up - check the display and verify that you see the gear indicator in the gauges. does it change as you shift from P to D?

if you see it disappear for a few moments, you have issues in the gear selector and it can cause this no start - and can also cause the transmission to "neutral" or go into hard limp mode.

If the trans passes, I would suggest you check the connector, wiring and also the CPS - the ECU looks for the rpm signal when cranking. if it sees a corrupt signal it will stop the cranking. (just like later chevy)

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

The starter drive is replaceable however it takes some tools and repair experience. The most direct route is a used or rebuilt starter unless you have a starter / alternator shop in the area.

Make sure the engine isn't rotating before changing any parts.

Whirring from starter + engine not turning = starter drive slipping.

Brief whirr then no noise / no engine rotation = starter control wiring issue or starter problem, needs further investigation.