I went out to go to work this morning and went to start my M, made sure it was in 0 gear and turned the key, but no start! Its the same as if I left it in R or 1...the starter does not attempt to turn over the car.

Has this happened to anyone? Anyone have an idea of what it might be? I'm thinking maybe a sensor on the shifter that tells the car it is in 0 and OK to start might be bad, or maybe the starter has died itself. Hoping it is something stupid though that I just don't know about the SMG tranny.

Any thoughts forum??

Does the key turn and not do anything or is it stopped? I assume that if it's stopped you've tried turning the key all the way back to the start then trying again? Can you move your steering wheel, or is locked?

1) Foot on brake
2) check battery
3) Bend over when it is on the way to the dealer and get ready

Does the key turn and not do anything or is it stopped? I assume that if it's stopped you've tried turning the key all the way back to the start then trying again? Can you move your steering wheel, or is locked?

It does turn like normal, but the starter does not go.

The steering wheel is locked, I can try moving it and seeing if that unlocks something....

1) Foot on brake
2) check battery
3) Bend over when it is on the way to the dealer and get ready

1) Done
2) Battery is fine, everything else is working just fine
3) Its got the certified warranty so I should be covered as long as it isn't a "wear and tear" item :S

2) Battery is fine, everything else is working just fine


doesn't mean it has enough power to start, happened to me, lights came on and such but not enough power to start

doesn't mean it has enough power to start, happened to me, lights came on and such but not enough power to start

Good Point, let me check the voltage on the battery...

the steering wheel shouldnt be locked?!

also have you tried holding the key down for a few seconds sometimes there's a delay

the steering wheel shouldnt be locked?!

also have you tried holding the key down for a few seconds sometimes there's a delay

Well its locked until you turn the key on, then it can move freely.

I have held it in the position for a a few seconds and still no turn over.....is there anything else that would stop the car from turning over? Safety measures??

check the voltage yet?

does it have factory alarm maybe?! mine doesnt so i dunno..just make sure to lock the car wait a while then unlock and try..i thought i read in the manual that after a few unsuccessful start attempts you have to lock the car and wait 15 minutes?! though i may be pulling this out of my ass as i skimmed over the manual a month ago

check the voltage yet?

I did...12.6 standing voltage, plenty to start a car....

1800 tow-my-bmw..... i have them on speed dial

does it have factory alarm maybe?! mine doesnt so i dunno..just make sure to lock the car wait a while then unlock and try..i thought i read in the manual that after a few unsuccessful start attempts you have to lock the car and wait 15 minutes?! though i may be pulling this out of my ass as i skimmed over the manual a month ago

It does have the factory alarm...I can try arming it & waiting 15 minutes...

Nope not that either.....it must be the starter or a sensor somewhere! GRRRR!

It might be the 40amp fuse right next to your DME. i've been burned on this at work before. Its an orange fuse about the size of your thumb. It provides power to your SMG module and hydraulic pump. If the pump does not have power, it cannot provide hydraulic fluid to the rest of the trans.

Its a shot in the dark, might just want to tow it in

any updates? I think I'll stay away from SMG...

Got it started! I read some other posts on the forum with people that had the exact same issue...one person mentioned that if you just hold the key in the on position (Like it is turning over) and just hold it for up to 2 minutes, the car will start. Sure enough Vroom! Took about 45 seconds of holding it there and it finally started. Turned it off tried to start it again and it started right up like normal. Started just fine this morning as well! So I still don't know waht caused it, but I do know what to do if it happens again so that I do not get stranded anywhere.....

Gotta love the forum! :redspot

weird, are you going to take it in. I doubt you would be able to recreate the problem...

weird, are you going to take it in. I doubt you would be able to recreate the problem...

Exactly, unless they can re-create it, they will say everything is OK. Since I know how to get around it if it does it again, I will just see if it does do it again and go from there. If it does it everyday, then I will end up taking it in for sure....