Where's My Starter??! 2001 X5 4.4I V8 Petrol Auto

[Supermooser]

Can anyone tell me where the starter is? I need to remove/check it and the solenoid as having problems

[Guest DazH]

Can anyone tell me where the starter is? I need to remove/check it and the solenoid as having problems

I would imagine, next to the flywheel. Trace the engine block back and where its bolted to the Transmission, it should be there looking at ya. HTH

Daz

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Yeah, on the lower front of the gearbox bell-housing...Just chase the fat red cable to it ;)

[Supermooser]

That sounded so simple when you said that Dabsy lol! I'm a bit of an amateur (unless you can't tell)!

I had an auto electrician out the other day and he suspects the starter motor or starter solenoid to be my non-start/intermittent start problem, or one of the relays!

He narrowed the problem down in the limited time he had but then had to leave it until he returns from holiday in a week. He asked If I could locate the starter whilst he is away, and if possible - eliminate it as the problem.

Apparently I can connect the battery direct to the starter (whilst in neutral), to eliminate it being the problem. I had hoped to do this myself but as I say I cannot locate the starter.

I can't really follow the fat red cable as I loose sight/touch of it - or am i being daft! Unfortunately, locating the gearbox bell housing would take me as long to locate as the starter lol!

I've had a look at what the unit looks like and have used your info to help - but I still cannot find it sorry! Do I get to it through the bonnet or underneath the car? Any layman type guidance would really be appreciated mate

[Supermooser]

Can anyone help with this - there is one thing I can't find out to do with the solenoid.

There are three bolts on the solenoid. One has the fat red cable coming from the battery (+). Another has an exposed mesh cable which has a permanent connection seemingly running up to the starter. I cannot tell what the third bolt is without removing the starter/solenoid.

So...

Is the permanent exposed metal mesh cable connection that runs from the solenoid up toward the starter; an earth (-) cable connected to the bare metal exterior of the starter motor, OR; a live (+) cable running from the solenoid up to stat the starter motor???

Obviously a bit of a difference

[Supermooser]

Yipeeeeeee - problem resolved!

Thank you everyone for your help. I’m so glad I can finally stop pestering you all lol.

I’ve been so encouraged by your help, and learnt so much about BM’s over the duration of this problem (6 weeks), and since owning it (2 years), – I will replace the X5 for another BM. I’d miss you guys to much otherwise haha!

Anyone who finds any of my threads/topics relating to the problems I’ve had on here with the X5, or any other X5/BMW problems - PLEASE feel free to ask if you think I can help.

I’ve probably learnt so much because I’ve tried to resolve as many of the long list of problems I’ve had with my X5 myself. Mostly to avoid large garage/mechanic bills. I have to say, having said/done that - my parts/mechanic bills etc have amounted to £4k+ over the last two years, or more. It’s also depreciated between 4-6k over the last two years. I suppose that means they can be bought very cheaply these days though. 60k car for about 6k – incredible!

Anyway, I’m not a mechanic/auto electrician/expert like a few other guys on here, but as I say, I’ve learnt a hell of a lot about the BMW X5 over the last 2 years. Especially as it’s 2001 and 100k+ miles. I’ve also found a lot of useful sites like BMW part number finders etc.

I found this site by searching for related key words on Google. I learnt a lot reading about other people’s problems - for which I am very grateful. For that reason I will explain what I discovered the problem to be here, and hopefully help someone else :rolleyes:

A while ago the alternator seized. This is a big problem for the X5 as it is a water-cooled alternator. Because the alternator seized, the water pump failed to function properly. I was driving on a motorway and I could not pull over! The car over heated to the extent that I blew a hole and leaked all my coolant fluid out of the radiator. The power steering then failed as well. Because I continued to drive, the car overheated to the extent that the engine head was likely to have warped, which would have pretty much written off the car/required new engine/etc. I needed replace/repair the car cooling system/damage caused, which included the: radiator; power steering pump; alternator; water pump; drive belt; etc, - to find out if the car was written off!

The reason I mention this is because I think this is the source of my recent non-start problem. I also have to say it would have been almost impossible for anyone to diagnose this recent problem without getting under the engine/behind the plate.

I had a garage replace the alternator, as it’s a nightmare to get to/replace. They have presumably removed the starter/solenoid to get to it. After replacing my alternator, they did not re-secure the starter/solenoid properly. The starter motor and solenoid are secured to the car with a few bolts, which also connect/earth the starter/solenoid, allowing it to work. Because the garage did not replace these bolts securely, there was no earth (-) connection, and the starter/solenoid could not work, or worked intermittently depending on the state of the connection at the time.

This is why connecting the live battery terminal directly to the various terminals on the solenoid/starter had no effect. At least there are no more parts to replace!

Amazing that a ‘professional’ mechanic re-installed the starter so poorly. I shall have words with the garage I think.

Anyway, there we go. Thanks again everyone :D

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Another Crime solved :rolleyes: