Dmandash

Hello Everyone I have been going through something odd with my 2007 BMW 525xi after being targeted by mechanics over the years because of the brand I have done my own work on all my BMWs and learned my engines very well this time i am just stumped ..........started one day tried to start was a little cold but basically crank but would not fire after letting sit for a few mins tried again and it fired up happened about 2 times then 2 weeks later one cold morning same thing again kept trying but no luck then i started smelling a burning smell and light smoke coming from the back of the engine then car stopped cranking. Did not want to mess anything else up as these cars are like that high maintenance girlfriend.... so i stopped trying car has been sitting for a week tried a few times here and there no crank and if i try too much that smell again all my lights work and not dimming radio a/c work ok just no crank i can hear what i think is the fuel pump under car but thats it anybody have any insight on this please.........thank you in advance.......and no disrespect to the people who do this for a living but anytime i take my car to the mechanic its always more than what i came there for while i respect the hustle i am on a tight budget .......... 2007 BMW 525xi 176,000 miles MAF sensor replaced Vanos Solenoids replaced recently.......

GregFerd

do not put bmw and tight budget in the same sentence. by your description it probably needs a starter. get your fluke volt meter and measure voltage drop while cranking. amp draw.

JeremyR

I had similar problem; only without smoke and burning smell.

Lights/AC/Radio etc..everything worked but no crank at all. I could hear the fuel pumps and everything engaged for the start each time;

It was the starter. The voltage was there; Then tried giving the starter hard hit with a rod while pressing the push start and it started right up. Replaced starter with a new TYC unit from ecstuning and no problems.