Hello, my son had a 2001 330ci that has a good battery but the car will not start. He recently lost his keys and they may have been in the dirt and possibly been run over by other vehicles. Everything lights up when he turns on the ignition but nothing on the motor. Any ideas?

Key FOB
dead,
will not crank or cranks fast but will not start and run engine or dies in 3 seconds running?????????????????
IMMO lamp on dash NOT HAPPY as the glove box GUIDE states?
yes the battery must must be kept charged, below 10vdc all brains in the car go bad, (and chaos mode wide result)
the shop manual said so too, every one ever made. (for sure EFI cars 1988 to now)
no engine told (size and cyl counts)
car came new with 2 good programmed keys , lost the spare>
got PASS-KEY _III security system there? IMMO ??????
guide page 2-18 read that yet ,
there are 2 radio type here passive and active.
if active the key battery must not be weak. RF radio in key sends data.
to unlock ignition.
seem passive key RK3 marked, master, valet is useless for engine.
hooooo the book says starter and fuel systems shut down. BOTH!
page 2-20
check fuses ?
then if security lamp shows errors. bingo it will never start
2nd spare key is NOW
learn to use OBD2 scan tool, it will tell you what is wrong even while cranking attempts It WILL.

If you lost your keys, why do you care if the battery died? You're not going anywhere even if the battery was good?

have you droped your key recently?
The key contains a micro chip thats "speaks" to your ignition system via a small pick up fitted near the ignition slot.
If this is damaged or lost, your car will never start.
Get someone with a diagnostic test machine to verify if your ignition system is getting the start code?

It sounds likeyou have a Vacuum lead developing and the Pressure Sensor adjusted the best it could but it was not good enough

How old is the battery? Have it load tested at a car parts store. It sounds like an old or bad battery, Do you remember where it was bought? Some new batteries fail right away, take it back they will replace it.

the steering lock soleniod has engaged because it does not recognise the chip in the key and you have to get it programmed to the car to make it work the because the security system thinks its being stolen

Hello Lisa,

Thanks for choosing me to help you with your unfortunate problem. There is good news, and that is I feel I can help you.

Based on reading your problem/symptoms I believe I know what has possibly happened accidentally of course. You said you checked your car just clicks when you turn key, I assume the clicking your hearing because all the lights work, is that is the starter not getting good power.

I will explain. Because you have lights, means battery is working and hot.You also stated that the alternator is new and the starter is new. Now, at first I would have you go through a series of all these boring mechanical checks, BUT I believe what has happened is sense you said it JUST HAPPENED after your son put on new starter and now it appears it is clicking when you try and turn key, is that i believe it is highly possible that maybe your son did not hook up the main cables to the starter/solenoid tight enough or they might of been dirty or corroded. I am almost positive you trace down the cables to your starter ( with maybe your sons help?) that you will see not a good solid clean connection. If you can do that or check that FIRST, then I believe after you clean it and make sure it is good and tight, should fire right up. Please let me know, and if this did solve this issue, a nice rating and kind words of appreciation would be very much appreciated. Thanks So. Much, Mike, your auto expert man.

Hello. The electronic opener needs new battery. Change it and it will open. The dealer can get you a new key. Get the Vehicle Identification Number & Bill of sale or good proof it is your car and they will help you get a key.

Flat battery. Your lights and other accessories draw alot less power than starter needs. Have your battery load tested to verify.

Hi,
Check/clean your battery terminal connections. If your battery is good, and assuming the starter and ignition switch is good, this would be a suspected culprit.
Hope this helps... Good luck!