BMW e36 "Starting Module Box"

but43r · 15-02-2009 10:44pm #1

I have BMW e36 316i and the car wount start. Few days before this, the car started acting funny - would just stop sometimes and I would have to start her again. One day after the car stoped she just wouldn't start anymore. So i brought her to the mechanic to put her on diagnostics. The diagnostic pointed that it's Starting Module Box so i went on the internet to find out wtf is it and how much would it cost. When I google "Starting Module Box" I can't find anything about it. So it would be great if there would be some BMW expert here who could explain me what is Starting Module Box.

p.s I cant get in touch with mechanic as its sunday and I need car ASAP.

Thanks

reverandkenjami · 16-02-2009 12:18am

What year? It sounds like the ignition switch or one of the engine sensors is the problem rather than the ews(module). The ews wouldn't cause the car to cut out once its started.

DublinDilbert · 16-02-2009 12:27am

but43r wrote: »

So it would be great if there would be some BMW expert here who could explain me what is Starting Module Box.

There's quite a few BMW people on boards here....

I've never heard of a "Starting module box", are you 100% sure that's what he said?

If that's what he said either he doesn't know what he's doing or is pulling the piss.....

What are the symptoms of the car? Is it turning over?

but43r · 16-02-2009 12:31am

Its 1993.

The ews wouldn't cause the car to cut out once its started.

Thats the thing-it doesn't start and it has no spark either.
Btw- whats ews???

reverandkenjami · 16-02-2009 3:00am

but43r wrote: »

Its 1993.

Thats the thing-it doesn't start and it has no spark either.
Btw- whats ews???

Its a BMW german abbreviation for the electronic immobiliser!!

They have to be ordered in to match your chassis number from a dealer and then coded to match the DME

EDIT:
1993? Come to think of it i don't think they had EWS

DublinDilbert · 16-02-2009 8:53am

reverandkenjami wrote: »

Its a BMW german abbreviation for the electronic immobiliser!!

They have to be ordered in to match your chassis number from a dealer and then coded to match the DME

EDIT:
1993? Come to think of it i don't think they had EWS

Exactly... It be came standard a short time later.... I looked up that car on real OEM and there was no EWS ring on the ignition barrel, so that confirms it.

Based on the quote:
Thats the thing-it doesn't start and it has no spark either.

can we assume the car doesn't even turn over?? OP can you confirm this?

rebel.ranter · 16-02-2009 9:40am

Never heard of a "starting box".

Could be anything that is causing the fault.

- Camshaft sensor
- Crank angle sensor
- ECU
- Solenoid on starter

...... on & on.

If you can get it to someone with specific BMW diagnostics like Carsoft. Or ask the mechanic for the fault code number & Google it. Or check here:

http://www.e38.org/e32/bmw%20code%20defaut.pdf

DublinDilbert · 16-02-2009 10:10am

rebel.ranter wrote: »

Never heard of a "starting box".

Could be anything that is causing the fault.

- Camshaft sensor
- Crank angle sensor
- ECU
- Solenoid on starter

...... on & on.

If you can get it to someone with specific BMW diagnostics like Carsoft. Or ask the mechanic for the fault code number & Google it. Or check here:

http://www.e38.org/e32/bmw%20code%20defaut.pdf

It could even be as simple as the DME relay. From memory i think its the same as the relay for the horn, so its possible to swap them over....

I see the OP said the car was cutting out when running, so that might point to something like the DME relay...

BMW e36 "Starting Module Box"

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