QuestionHello Don,
I have a 2000 740il BMW. I purchased it 1 year ago with 80,000 miles on it. Recently the ABS/Dsc lights have been coming on intermittently especially when taking a strong corner or going over bumps. I took it to BMW and they said it was a pressure sensor and a brake switch. They want 400 dollars to replace the two items, the DSC and ABS systems are not problem just the sensor and switch according to BMW dealer.
At the same time these lights started coming on I started to experience weird starting problems. If I try to start it normally the starter goes and goes, even when the key is released and the car doesnt start. If I turn off the A/C. the Nav. monitor and stereo while in position 2, and then try to start it will start. Weird huh? Sometimes it will take a few tries even with everything turned off. The starter just keeps trying even after releasing the key from starting position.
I replaced the original battery yesterday as it was only showing 443 cca instead of the 850 cca it was supposed to have and was black in color in the viewfinder. Replacing the battery has not changed my problem at all.
This is a Las Vegas Car so we deal with extreme temperatures. It was all highway miles until I bought it and have put only 6,000 miles on it in a year, many short trips only. I have read that it could be the starter ignition switch, broken starter drive gear, broken flywheel teeth?, bad starter switch( is this the same as ignition switch?) starter relay problem, or selenoid. Whew.
I thought that maybe the faulty warning lamps supposedly due to needing a new pressure sensor and brake switch, may be related to this starting problem. Is there anywhere in the electrical system that the warning lamps and starter system are related and causing both problems? I am super frustrated as I have already put $3,000 into the car in repairs(all power steering hoses and head gasket replacement) since last Aug and am hoping problem isnt going to be too costly. I dont trust the local BMW dealership as they have not only stolen items from my car while being serviced but have misdiagnosed before and are super expensive. I think the service guys are on commission. Any help you could give me would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you- Gretchen
AnswerWith all the intermttient thing going on I would look at the grounds as you said at sometime all is alright.Replacement of the battery was a good idea as they only have a life span of 4-5 years.Was the body ground also in good shape?If the starter is just spinning when in the crank mode I would suspect a starter.
