<![CDATA[Need HELP No crank, no start with e36]]>My car seems to have a common issue but I'm still not sure what to do first. It's a late build '95 318i, so probably ewsII, haven't checked yet. The tumbler was doing the common spinning every once in a while, but no other problems, caught ususally after spinning a few times.

In the last month it did this to me twice where the key would turn into the start position, everything lights up like it should, but no crank or any noise at all. After a few minutes it started normal like nothing happened. It did this last night too after I got out of work, seems to happen when the car is cold too.

Another possibly related thing is the last couple of days it has been around 20's finally and the car wouldn't start right away, I would have to hold the key in the start a few seconds before the starter cranks. So probably part of the same issue.

The question I have is this possibly the EWS problem or the tumbler problem, or I might have both maybe?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/1032/need-help-no-crank-no-start-with-e36RSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 06:34:39 GMTSat, 22 Dec 2012 18:55:14 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Tue, 30 Mar 2021 18:24:58 GMT]]>

Ras said:

How do i delete the ews? I have a 97 318is, lost the original key with the remote. Starts occasionally with the spare key however yesterday it locked by itself and doesn't wana unlock and its not starting (cluster lights comes on but no crank). 

I texted Jeff to let him know, he's not on here much anymore. The OP was dealing with a OBDI car with EWS, it's simpler as you can just swap out the ecu/dme for a earlier version. I'm not sure how the delete works on OBDII cars.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/109294https://wibimmers.com/post/109294Tue, 30 Mar 2021 18:24:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Sun, 28 Mar 2021 19:31:14 GMT]]>

Jeff said:

You can try jump starting it. Off the ignition switch.it more of sounds to be the ignition switch problem if ews2 acts out it says screw you and won't crank over. Ews failure you won't have fuel ignition or cranking at all

If you think ews is the problem I can tell you how

To delete it

How do i delete the ews? I have a 97 318is, lost the original key with the remote. Starts occasionally with the spare key however yesterday it locked by itself and doesn't wana unlock and its not starting (cluster lights comes on but no crank).

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/109278https://wibimmers.com/post/109278Sun, 28 Mar 2021 19:31:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:59:34 GMT]]>Horray! Congrats

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/14692https://wibimmers.com/post/14692Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:59:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:56:51 GMT]]>Forgot to update, but its finished. It was a real pain especially with the wiring but marking the pigtails helped a lot. Once the manifold was out of the way, getting the starter out was simple. I bench tested it and it tested ok but drew less amps than expected and sounded weak. I'm assuming moving the thing around shook it off the bad spot or something. The new started fixed the problem though so I'm not worried about it. After putting the manifold back on and together the engine did take forever to catch for some reason. I understand the fuel pressure takes time to build up, but I have never had to try so long and so many times. I was worried that I might have not connected some sensor, but after some starting fluid, it barely coughed to life, and eventually ran fine. It does have a check engine light on now, so something did not go back together correctly, but that's for another day since the car does run great.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/14691https://wibimmers.com/post/14691Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:56:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 05:18:18 GMT]]>Not really, the dumb power block or whatever its called that's in the lower part and has a bunch of hoses and plugs going into it is pissing me off. Mainly time constraint though, but I should be able to tackle it tomorrow.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12959https://wibimmers.com/post/12959Wed, 02 Jan 2013 05:18:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:03:17 GMT]]>You stuck on anything?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12929https://wibimmers.com/post/12929Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:03:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:56:27 GMT]]>Thats what I'm in the process of doing. Gotta love old, brittle hoses on a 17 year old car with 220k. This is turning out to be the hardest starter change I have ever done.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12915https://wibimmers.com/post/12915Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:56:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 17:05:04 GMT]]>The easy way to get it changed is taking the intake off. then the starter is right there

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12881https://wibimmers.com/post/12881Sat, 29 Dec 2012 17:05:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:19:18 GMT]]>Tell me how the starter replacement goes, I've had two attempts and given up. Not as easy to get to as an M20. Taking out the oil dipstick tube out is a pain and even worse getting it back in.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12876https://wibimmers.com/post/12876Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:19:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:12:06 GMT]]>It's not to bad 1 hot 30 job total

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12857https://wibimmers.com/post/12857Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:12:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:01:53 GMT]]>New development, looks to be the starter. Decided to take it out of the equation just to be safe before deleting the ews, and it wound up having power to the S terminal when attempting to start. I don't think this is good news though, just cause its a pickle to replace apparently.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12855https://wibimmers.com/post/12855Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:01:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:35:53 GMT]]>You can try jump starting it. Off the ignition switch.it more of sounds to be the ignition switch problem if ews2 acts out it says screw you and won't crank over. Ews failure you won't have fuel ignition or cranking at all

If you think ews is the problem I can tell you how

To delete it

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12837https://wibimmers.com/post/12837Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:35:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:56:43 GMT]]>Hmm, another possibility that will cost money and time, great. Thank you

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12817https://wibimmers.com/post/12817Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:56:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Mon, 24 Dec 2012 09:01:04 GMT]]>Ah. Okay I see what you mean. Maybe the tumbler isn't catching the ignition switch?

I read this thread about the ews antenna ring. The last two posts may help. It turned out to be the key. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1488680

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12810https://wibimmers.com/post/12810Mon, 24 Dec 2012 09:01:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Mon, 24 Dec 2012 04:57:54 GMT]]>Ignition switch is a possibility I suppose but it doesn't seem to be a common problem for these cars judging from what I have found. I do have the spinning tumbler problem that is very common for e36, but as I have found out should not hamper starting yet. And like I said there is no crank, so no fuel problems.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12809https://wibimmers.com/post/12809Mon, 24 Dec 2012 04:57:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:58:03 GMT]]>For tumbler, do you mean the ignition switch? If so, start there. Also, the hard start could be the fuel pressure regulator. However, fuel pumps like to crap out in winter..

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12791https://wibimmers.com/post/12791Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:58:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 19:23:10 GMT]]>There isn't even the fuel pump kicking in, its definitely a problem where the immobilizer is acting up, but I just don't know If I should start with the module or the tumble. I'm leaning toward the the EWS now after reading more about these problems, it just sucks that the car is stuck downtown.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12788https://wibimmers.com/post/12788Sat, 22 Dec 2012 19:23:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Need HELP No crank, no start with e36 on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 19:10:47 GMT]]>Are you able to kick start it? My 318is (now BMWben's) did that last winter too. Got it towed to the dealer and started right up when it got off the truck :( Dont know if it was EWS related or not but the starter was stuck at least. I has occasionally happened a few times since.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/12787https://wibimmers.com/post/12787Sat, 22 Dec 2012 19:10:47 GMT