E39 M5 Not starting

[Murdoch]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has seen this before?

Basically my issue is (it's an M5) that the position I in the ignition is fine; power to the nav, lights etc.. but in position II, nothing additional happens, no climate control, no DSC light, nothing happening on the starter motor (as in, no clicking noise)... I don't have my scanner with me so I'm kind of stuck at the moment (not near my home right now).

I have not owned the car for very long and before - I usually had to put the key into position II rather quickly otherwise I would have to relock and unlock it again for it to work.

Also I have just replaced the ignition switch so it's not that :-(

[Dave]

You're gonna need to scan it.

Sounds like it's immobiliser related.

I would have thought that the engine would have turned over though.

Where are you?


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[Murdoch]

Hi Dave,

I'm in Paris which is why I've no scanner and the car is in a multi story so probably not the easiest to bring out on a flatbed!

Indeed no cranking, in my other E39s they always seem to "come alive" when it's in position 2 on the ignition; but here.. it just stays as if nothing has happened :S

[Dave]

It hardly has a dead battery does it?


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[Murdoch]

My plan in the morning was to replace the battery (when the shops open) but there's power to the navigation etc so not sure - do you think it wouldn't even attempt to crank / no climate control with a weak battery?

[Dave]

It's weird you're getting no ignition lights

But E39's do all kinds of odd things with a dead battery

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[Murdoch]

Fair enough! I'll see how it goes in the morning!

[JohnH]

Fair enough! I'll see how it goes in the morning!

How about just jump starting it first?

[Murdoch]

How about just jump starting it first?

I would but where I am (a bit outside of Paris) I don't really know anybody and the car park is practically empty most of the day.. In any case I tested the battery voltage tonight and it's coming up as 12.08 (which sounds OK?) when the car is off (of course) and drops briefly to about 11 when the key is turned into position I. It does not drop any further of course because the starter is never activated.

[KevinF]

I would but where I am (a bit outside of Paris) I don't really know anybody and the car park is practically empty most of the day.. In any case I tested the battery voltage tonight and it's coming up as 12.08 (which sounds OK?) when the car is off (of course) and drops briefly to about 11 when the key is turned into position I. It does not drop any further of course because the starter is never activated.

The voltage sounds low TBH . it sounds like it would be worth trying a jump or a new battery