E46 Won't start!

[Andres823]

When I try to start my car it makes a sound (click, click) and all the lights come on, but the engine does not do anything, could it be the battery? If so, how come all lights are on? Any ideas? Thanks guys

2002 325!

[peterkulesza]

likely the battery. it often has some juice to give you enough for lights etc, but not enough to crank (amp requirements much higher). so it just shoots the bendix onto the flywheel, and nothing else happens. also, your bendix may be stuck.

1. check voltage at the battery terminals. should be about 13.
2. if 13+, take a hammer and bang on the starter. i doubt that though, your car is too new.

[FL325i]

My money's on the battery, too. My buddy and I are troubleshooting a starting problem in my Rodeo, and we talked about dead spots and using a hammer to get the windings in a good position to get the starter to work. Is this still a problem with newer cars? I think my problem is bad contacts between the solenoid (which is internal) and the starter motor).

[bad man working]

It’s the battery the lights come because the voltage level drops and the light control unit screws up there’s enough power in the battery to light the light but not to turn the starter (a starter pulls about 200amps)