2007 BMW X3 Starter Test

How to diagnose no crank no start condition on 2007 BMW X3- process will be similar with almost all BMWs. You have the key, tumbler, ignition switch, security system, and starter. Need a test light or volt meter to diagnose. Not difficult to do. Changing the starter is a pill. Better to take the intake manifold off. Make sure you block out a whole day to f

[@UR50SLO]

Thanks for the video... helped us determine it was ignition switch! Cheers

[@isaidspaghetti]

Fyi! I tried all this and couldn’t get anything to work, but then I unplugged my immobilizer for about 10 minutes, and as I was doing the back probe test of the black and blue wire, my car started up perfectly!!

[@MonroeBull]

Where is the immobilizer to unplug it?

[@isaidspaghetti]

Just under the steering column @@MonroeBull

[@joseberrios7250]

I put a circuit tester with voltage display to the white wire and tried to start it. It lit up and gave me a reading of 8.3v . Is that saying my starter is bad

[@TheOliveBranch5]

My 08x3 starter won’t engage and continues to spin even if my key is off? Any idea why?

[@damojan]

So, how do you test the signal wire at the starter with a prybar, when the wire connection is concealed by a plug, like yours is?

[@b0uhunter]

Yes, i think he touched the red (hot) and the ground connections to test with the prybar not the signal wire (white one) which is connected to the starter just beside the ground wire shown in his picture at 1:32 and that's a real pain to test since there's no space to remove the connector. But his video still helps in a way. Thank you for the post.

[@damojan]

@@b0uhunter I tried to unplug the signal wire from below the vehicle, but there isn't enough room. Perhaps the si version has a different/larger intake? No matter, I replaced the starter in my 2008 3.0si in under 2 hours by unbolting and moving the intake manifold out of the way. The toughest part was removing and replacing the plastic plate that conceals the ABS unit.

[@thesimracingnoob2356]

So i tested it and the bare copper wire connection was NOT giving me power when we turned the key. What does that mean?
Does that mean the immobilizer could the issue?

[@kylejenson4684]

Did you ever figure this out? I didn't get any reading from the big white wire while trying to crank, but I do at the blue and black wire. My key is pretty messed up so it might just be that.

[@thatsmypurseidontknowyou4797]

@@kylejenson4684 yeah it was definitely just my starter.. not sure if his explanation is right/wrong but yeah just swap the starter bro lol

[@angelmedina541]

hey do you know where the transmission computer of that bmw x3 e83 3.0 2007 is located?