brianstash

My 04 530i won't start. It cranks but won't turn over and start. I thought the battery was going bad and replaced it but still won't start.

I can't hear the fuel pump on and can hear that buzzing sound under the hood and near the gas tank (I think).

Note: I did change the spark plugs, air filter, microfilters on Saturday afternoon. Started it, even drove it 4 hours on Sunday and started it Monday too. Come yesterday morning the car will not start. (And the CPO just ran out and it's in my driveway.)

Ideas where to start? Bad fuel? Bad fuel filter? Bad fuel pump? (I'm off in the morning to buy some starting fluid to see what that will do for me.)

MiamiPhill

Cranks but no start can be one of two problems, no fuel or no spark....since you recently did work on the plugs I'm guessing the latter is the problem. Go back and check all the coil packs and related the connections, something has probably come loose.

royalflush408

The starter needs to be replaced. Happened to me.

sdg1871

+1. That is exactly what happened to my 550 this summer. The starter cranks but the car doesn't start. It is a bad starter.

Allen

Maybe I don't understand (very possible)...but, if it's cranking...then the starter is ok isn't it?? The starter's job is to turn the engine over until it ignites...correct?

IceyTys

If the engine is turning, it's more than not likely to be the starter. Sounds to me like an ignition problem, like MiamiPhill said, go back and check your work, maybe something came loose, or maybe your ignition coil went out. You just got done working on changing your spark plugs so it would just be bad luck that something went wrong with the fuel system right now, so check the obvious first!

GL

brianstash

I reseated each ignition coil on the spark plugs and nothing. Cranking (na-na-na-na-na-na-na) but won't start. I hear the buzzing of the fuel pump as soon as the car wakes up.

I'm at a loss... as mentioned ealier... the starter? Really?

Any suggestion would be great, I don't know what to do.

kpatter

I have a 2004 530i also and yes it more than likely is your starter. My car was doing the exact same thing where it would crank as you call it but not start. I got stranded an hour from home and sure enough it was the starter.

brianstash

Thanks for the feedback.

Can someone explain what the starter is not doing correctly? The starter IS working and turning the flywheel properly? What isn't is to doing right then?

MiamiPhill

Yes, I'd like to hear this one too.....because if the engine turns over (cranks) then how can it be a faulty starter.......they can, and do get stuck on the ring gear of the flywheel but in that instant all you get is a click.