95 won't start - BMW Forum

standby one · 09-30-2009, 08:43 AM

1995 740IL
175,000
owned it for 15 months, been a super car!

Hey everyone

So I know this has something to do with the alarm and not letting the car start. here are the things I have done, ck fuses, ck fuel pump that it is getting voltage, reinitialize my only key.
Read all I can find on this and other forums. Even looked at the owners manual! NO luck.
The information on e38 explained a lot but there was no trouble shooting or told me how to fix what no working.
So my question to who ever would like to try and help is.

What do I do now? I can not afford a dealer. And I have hit a dead end more or less. Could I throw away the alarm and the car work? LOL I know it part of everything.

So HELP me anyway you can please!

Thanks

Sam

carguy13 · 09-30-2009, 09:25 AM

hmm...this is real vague.

does it make any noise when you try to start it?
does it just sit there?

a few more detail might help someone solve your issue!

marti5 · 09-30-2009, 09:38 AM

Try putting a new battery in the fob, if the batts dead the transponder will not send a signal.

P.s where are you in the world...??

standby one · 09-30-2009, 09:43 AM

Ok will try new batteries in the fob.

Just to let you know the doors lock and unlock with the fob.

I am in Tullahoma, TN

And I turn the key and only the panel lights come on no starter turning or anything.

Thanks will try this and report back

Sam

marti5 · 09-30-2009, 09:45 AM

When you have the panel lights on and fully turn the key to start do they dim?

If it operates the doors your fob batt should be ok.

standby one · 09-30-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marti5

Try putting a new battery in the fob, if the batts dead the transponder will not send a signal.

P.s where are you in the world...??

I replace the two batteries and only the panel lights come on, just like before.

marti5 · 10-01-2009, 01:58 AM

When you have the panel lights on and fully turn the key to start do they dim?

standby one · 10-01-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marti5

When you have the panel lights on and fully turn the key to start do they dim?

No diming the battery is in good shape, left the lights on last week for 1.5 hours and the car started fine, something I left out in my first post.
It has not started before, I could turn the key once and not start and then turn it off and back to start and it would, or wait 1 minute and it would or not for an hour. No pattern or anything like that.

Thanks

What next?

Sam

marti5 · 10-01-2009, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the further info.....thats leading me to the ignition switch its self, which is found by removing the cowls top and bottom of the steering column, its not the barrel but a switch, you cant miss it its basically a box with wires leading from it, I would say this sounds like the problem, you could always try disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes and reconnecting, neg off 1st and on last, this resets many things, upon this failing I would be going straight for the switch, breakers yard or Ebay.

standby one · 10-01-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marti5

Thanks for the further info.....thats leading me to the ignition switch its self, which is found by removing the cowls top and bottom of the steering column, its not the barrel but a switch, you cant miss it its basically a box with wires leading from it, I would say this sounds like the problem, you could always try disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes and reconnecting, neg off 1st and on last, this resets many things, upon this failing I would be going straight for the switch, breakers yard or Ebay.

I will try the battery first and go from there and let you know what happens

Thank for your help with this!!!

Sam

standby one · 10-01-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marti5

Thanks for the further info.....thats leading me to the ignition switch its self, which is found by removing the cowls top and bottom of the steering column, its not the barrel but a switch, you cant miss it its basically a box with wires leading from it, I would say this sounds like the problem, you could always try disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes and reconnecting, neg off 1st and on last, this resets many things, upon this failing I would be going straight for the switch, breakers yard or Ebay.

I took the battery off line for several hours and nothing is different, so I am headed for the switch and see what happens.

Thanks again and I will provide an up date.

Sam

standby one · 10-02-2009, 01:15 PM

Well here is the update.
I took the housing from around the steering wheel (only the bottom off) and I messed with the wires, or checked with if any were loose or cut etc. Well I tried to start the car and it did!! So there is something under there that has caused this problem. I put the cover back on and it quit and then I restarted the car and got the cover on with out shutting off the car, and so I have a broken or back connect down there, so for now it is a good thing that no money was hurt during all of this!

I would like to thank Marti5 for your help in leading with the steps to fixing my car.

THANKS!

Hope this helps the next guy

Sincerely

Sam

marti5 · 10-02-2009, 01:22 PM

No thanks required Sam, glad you have started your car, we may have had to have gone further, but obviously there is a loose connection there somewhere which needs to be sorted....so please sort it..