OH MY GOD!! You have such a beautiful soul and words cannot describe how you just turned my entire life around right now. i hope life gives you nothing but positivity for the reminder of your FREAKING EXISTINCE!!!!
thanks for this! my one mechanic I use said these go bad, yet he checked it last year and said it was fine....sure, bet he did not want to replace as he can't get suvs on his lift!
OMG THANK YOU! I WISH I CAN SHOW YOU THE STATE OF MY CABLE.... HORRIBLE, AFTER ONE YEAR I FINALLY FOUND THIS VIDEO, I WILL GET BACK HERE AGAIN WHEN I FIX THIS. IF IT IS NOT THE CABLE, IS THE SHIFT STICK....
@@canadianwrench Hey brother, I can't replace this for another two weeks and need to get to work; I'm worried that the battery wont charge properly on the run, is there anything you could suggest until I can get the ground cable replaced please. Thank you kindly
@@canadianwrench I drove to work today with the booster cables grounding from the negative terminal to the engine block in the engine bay.. think that'd be okay for a week. . thanks man
very detailed video! I have the same car and I struggle for the past 2 months with it! now I am down to the clicking sound with no start so I am changing the starter but for safety replacing the ground! great job!!
I have the same issue. With one difference: the starter does start the engine with no stuttering or lag. Then when I drive it and make 10 stops where I turn the engine off and on each time, it decides not to crank crank at all. All lights in the dash light up properly but no crank. I have to let the car sit for a few hours and then the it starts. And the cycle repeats. I will definitely replace the ground wire as indicated in this video. But why would my engine restart if the ground wire was faulty? Any help would be appreciated!
Same issue 2008 X3. Did the jumper cable to ground trick and that confirmed it. I was able to pull the ground wire apart by hand it had deteriorated so badly. Presumed original (160k miles)
I was able to diagnose my x3 bad ground but now I get parasitic draw. My battery keeps draining below 12V when parked an I don’t know what’s causing it. I thought it was my aftermarket radio but i unplugged it an it still happens
@@Mosaic._ - make sure Battery is good. Chasing a battery draw cm be tricky. Especially when options are on timers. The best way to do test is disconnect ground and put a multimeter connected to battery negative and the other to cable. Don’t open doors etc because you will be turning on lights. Now isolate each circuit by removing the fuse. When your meter drops to 0 - it’s that circuit. There should be a good video on TH-cam for that
I had exactly same issue on my 2009 e88. Flickering Lights, especially on the uneven roads, music stops when the brake hit. And car starts really weak. And every electronic parts breaking because of this electric problem. Just 3 Euro cable but cost me 2 bmw radio professional, 2 xenon bulb and 1 h8 bulb and one relay. Just change and check it. Otherwise it damages everything.
great video, thanks very much! same year x3, just parked on my driveway, and can not start again, no crank, new battery, and follow your way to test, it looks like not ground cable issue, no idea still.
Great video I have this problem now I tryed to ground from negative but I went to frame not engine would that still ground the car or does it need to be to the engine thanks
Well …I would have run a cable to the battery but it would require 20 feet of booster cable. I chose the negative terminal designed by BMW for boosting your car. I did test that ground terminal to confirm it was good. Thanks for input.
I’m having a really hard time finding the ground strap on my 2011 model. Is there any chance it’s taped to a positive cable? Have you had a look at this for any of the newer x3s by any chance?
It’s sometimes on mount bolt to the starter. It’s got to be there, somewhere. Usually the positive and negative aren’t taped together but maybe a previous repair. You could just add one where my ground was. It won’t hurt anything.
Mt battery good the clicking I's tger wen crank but no crank its been struggling around a week and now no crank what dmyou think hmmm I'm thinking ground like yours
It may help - although I wouldn’t want to trap moisture or salt. I think it was more an age thing in my case. If first one lasted 11 years - I should be good for a decade.
I'm doing this project now and I plan on doing this. Anti corrosion battery paste slathered on it, then put heat shrink over it. It cannot make it any worse.
Good question - I think the old one was copper - because it turned green. The new one - I’m unsure but for the price I would hope it’s part Gold!! If you find an honest answer - let me know.
@@canadianwrench nappa had the 18", thank you for the reply. Can't express enough how thankful i am that i came across ur video. got me to work. cheers
Power to everything - Hmmmm. So power to big cable on starter? Power to small wire - trigger wire on starter - power when cranking / key turned? Good engine ground as in video? If yes to all above - Starter - or seized engine.
@@charlesflewissr4428 Was it a relay fuse in your case? Older x3s don't have a starter relay fuse, so he wouldn't be able to cover that in this video
It was the starter, and ground cable. If you have any BMW that's an older vehicle I recommend that you check the under carriage covering an replace if needed. Once water gets in all of the older ground wires corroded! I basically took off all of the ones I could find and cleaned them then used regular old school Vaseline...didn't have to replace the starter...only the Aluminum bolts and rubber gaskets on manifold, which cleared up the singing/wheezing sound when on gas!!! Thank's Fellas
So if no power at the white wire in the fuse box then what? My ground cables don't look great but using the jumper cable trick didn't do anything.... Car has power, keys were working, no obvious ews codes showing in INPA
If you have no power at the small white wire - which is trigger wire for starter- then your issue is before that wire. It could be ignition switch, A fuse, possibly an alarm or immobilizer. I’d start with fuses - then check to see if ignition is sending a trigger signal. Does ignition switch have power. Beyond that - cruise TH-cam and see what you can find. I hope this helps!
@@canadianwrench I was able to start the car by jumping a 12v source to the signal wire in the fuse box. That eliminates the EWS being out of sync. Me thinks ignition switch, I've ordered one that should be here next week.
OH MY GOD!! You have such a beautiful soul and words cannot describe how you just turned my entire life around right now. i hope life gives you nothing but positivity for the reminder of your FREAKING EXISTINCE!!!!
Thank you!!
Awesome review!
thanks for this! my one mechanic I use said these go bad, yet he checked it last year and said it was fine....sure, bet he did not want to replace as he can't get suvs on his lift!
OMG THANK YOU! I WISH I CAN SHOW YOU THE STATE OF MY CABLE.... HORRIBLE, AFTER ONE YEAR I FINALLY FOUND THIS VIDEO, I WILL GET BACK HERE AGAIN WHEN I FIX THIS. IF IT IS NOT THE CABLE, IS THE SHIFT STICK....
Is it fixed?
lol it worked bro, same problem for me. stopped at the grocery store then dead. the sparkplug trick worked.. you're my hero
correction "jumper cable trick "
@@ericineson7568Awesome!!
@@canadianwrench Hey brother, I can't replace this for another two weeks and need to get to work; I'm worried that the battery wont charge properly on the run, is there anything you could suggest until I can get the ground cable replaced please. Thank you kindly
@@ericineson7568- maybe a temporary ground wire from engine to body.
@@canadianwrench I drove to work today with the booster cables grounding from the negative terminal to the engine block in the engine bay.. think that'd be okay for a week. . thanks man
very detailed video! I have the same car and I struggle for the past 2 months with it! now I am down to the clicking sound with no start so I am changing the starter but for safety replacing the ground! great job!!
Thank you!
Was it the starter or did you have ground strap issues?
Ground strap was issue.
I have the same issue. With one difference: the starter does start the engine with no stuttering or lag. Then when I drive it and make 10 stops where I turn the engine off and on each time, it decides not to crank crank at all. All lights in the dash light up properly but no crank. I have to let the car sit for a few hours and then the it starts. And the cycle repeats. I will definitely replace the ground wire as indicated in this video. But why would my engine restart if the ground wire was faulty? Any help would be appreciated!
So it sounds like heat is changing resistance in a component.
Likely the starter but I would definitely do that cable first.
Same issue 2008 X3. Did the jumper cable to ground trick and that confirmed it. I was able to pull the ground wire apart by hand it had deteriorated so badly. Presumed original (160k miles)
It’s amazing how bad those grounds get.
Glad to help.
I was able to diagnose my x3 bad ground but now I get parasitic draw. My battery keeps draining below 12V when parked an I don’t know what’s causing it. I thought it was my aftermarket radio but i unplugged it an it still happens
@@Mosaic._ - make sure Battery is good.
Chasing a battery draw cm be tricky. Especially when options are on timers.
The best way to do test is disconnect ground and put a multimeter connected to battery negative and the other to cable.
Don’t open doors etc because you will be turning on lights.
Now isolate each circuit by removing the fuse.
When your meter drops to 0 - it’s that circuit.
There should be a good video on TH-cam for that
Wait so i’m confused if the jumper cable trick doesn’t work does that mean it’s a bad starter?
@@jacksunengler451 perhaps or you don’t have a good connection with the jumper cable. I had to try a couple different locations before it worked.
This Canadian has an obsession with minis enjoy. 👍
True!
Great sense of humour and helpful watch!
Much appreciated!
my bad I understand now thank you I have the same problem
Just a word of advice you can make your own much better longer lasting ground cable using 4 gauge battery cable with two crimp clamps
Thank you.
Yes - I have made many over the years.
Nice picture
Can't help thinking the genuine part is crap
I had exactly same issue on my 2009 e88. Flickering Lights, especially on the uneven roads, music stops when the brake hit. And car starts really weak. And every electronic parts breaking because of this electric problem. Just 3 Euro cable but cost me 2 bmw radio professional, 2 xenon bulb and 1 h8 bulb and one relay. Just change and check it. Otherwise it damages everything.
Amazing the problems created by a bad ground!
i just changed the ground strap and still nothing and i have 07 bmw 328i and my stop the same way yours did when i was getting gas
Go through it again and double check your results.
Make sure you have good connections at your battery.
Like i always say in those cases; Beautiful! hahahahaha! Good job.
I sprayed my relatively new cable with WD40, what do you readers think? Made it look new again. May need a spray once and a while.
I did the same.
great video, thanks very much! same year x3, just parked on my driveway, and can not start again, no crank, new battery, and follow your way to test, it looks like not ground cable issue, no idea still.
Follow diagnostics in video - maybe starter?, aftermarket alarm system?
Check ground cable engine to chassis. Under passenger side front also 1 in back
Great video I have this problem now I tryed to ground from negative but I went to frame not engine would that still ground the car or does it need to be to the engine thanks
You need to run a cable from body / frame to the engine.
Your battery is grounded to the body - so body is a good ground.
Can the part be called alternator ground cable? It looks the exact same. Please let me know.
It could be the same part used in several places.
When I called dealer - I described it as the lower ground body to engine.
You could even make one!
@@canadianwrench Oh ok ok sweet. Thank you so much!
Should have hooked ground cable to battery negative. Cant trust the post unless you checked the post.
Well …I would have run a cable to the battery but it would require 20 feet of booster cable.
I chose the negative terminal designed by BMW for boosting your car.
I did test that ground terminal to confirm it was good.
Thanks for input.
@canadianwrench where are you located in Canada?
I’m having a really hard time finding the ground strap on my 2011 model. Is there any chance it’s taped to a positive cable? Have you had a look at this for any of the newer x3s by any chance?
It’s sometimes on mount bolt to the starter.
It’s got to be there, somewhere.
Usually the positive and negative aren’t taped together but maybe a previous repair.
You could just add one where my ground was. It won’t hurt anything.
@@canadianwrench I’m taking another look tomorrow. Thanks for the extra tips.
Mt battery good the clicking I's tger wen crank but no crank its been struggling around a week and now no crank what dmyou think hmmm I'm thinking ground like yours
Quite possible.
Try the booster cable test.
Good luck!
@@canadianwrenchwhats the booster cable test?
Booster cable test - I used 1 cable of booster cable to connect the engine to the body.
It’s in the video - 3:00min in.
Can you put a protective tubing or heat shrink on that ground to keep moisture and dirt away?
It may help - although I wouldn’t want to trap moisture or salt.
I think it was more an age thing in my case.
If first one lasted 11 years - I should be good for a decade.
I just bought 1 from the dealer and it's got flexible insulation on it.
Maybe an updated part. Interesting.
I'm doing this project now and I plan on doing this. Anti corrosion battery paste slathered on it, then put heat shrink over it. It cannot make it any worse.
@@Rob-gj4hz good going!
Old cable copper, new cable stainless steel?
Good question - I think the old one was copper - because it turned green.
The new one - I’m unsure but for the price I would hope it’s part Gold!!
If you find an honest answer - let me know.
I believe the new is tin coated copper.
Q: What's the length of the ground strap brother
Just a guess - 12”-16”.
Old one is gone - new one is on the car.
@@canadianwrench nappa had the 18", thank you for the reply. Can't express enough how thankful i am that i came across ur video. got me to work. cheers
4:30 The ground strap should be replaced every 7 years as preventive maint................if not you WILL get stranded someday
I've got a 2007 328i
Power to everything, but won't start?
Power to everything - Hmmmm.
So power to big cable on starter?
Power to small wire - trigger wire on starter - power when cranking / key turned?
Good engine ground as in video?
If yes to all above - Starter - or seized engine.
If engine seized you will still hear a click or clunk from starter.
Double check your tests
Starter ok, I'm checking fuses.
Which is where I should've started in the first place
@@charlesflewissr4428 Was it a relay fuse in your case? Older x3s don't have a starter relay fuse, so he wouldn't be able to cover that in this video
It was the starter, and ground cable. If you have any BMW that's an older vehicle I recommend that you check the under carriage covering an replace if needed.
Once water gets in all of the older ground wires corroded!
I basically took off all of the ones I could find and cleaned them then used regular old school Vaseline...didn't have to replace the starter...only the Aluminum bolts and rubber gaskets on manifold, which cleared up the singing/wheezing sound when on gas!!!
Thank's Fellas
What’s the part number
I didn’t catch the number. I just ordered mine at dealer with my VIN as a reference.
u said a like a dead battery but no power no light on the dash
So if no power at the white wire in the fuse box then what? My ground cables don't look great but using the jumper cable trick didn't do anything....
Car has power, keys were working, no obvious ews codes showing in INPA
If you have no power at the small white wire - which is trigger wire for starter- then your issue is before that wire.
It could be ignition switch,
A fuse, possibly an alarm or immobilizer.
I’d start with fuses - then check to see if ignition is sending a trigger signal.
Does ignition switch have power.
Beyond that - cruise TH-cam and see what you can find.
I hope this helps!
@@canadianwrench I was able to start the car by jumping a 12v source to the signal wire in the fuse box. That eliminates the EWS being out of sync. Me thinks ignition switch, I've ordered one that should be here next week.
Nice diagnostics!!
@@canadianwrench thx. Got it to start fairly consistently by just running to drive then park then cranking. Weird stuff.
Ahhh - it’s starting to sound like a Neutral Safety Switch.
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