Another E90 No Start No Crank (320i n46)

[Jesman]

Hi everyone, so I tried to search and most of what I found related to autos.

I have a manual 2008 E90 320i with 150k kms. Towards the end of last year I replaced the alternator. 3 months ago I replaced the battery. I've tested both and both are good.

So my issue is that when you put the fob in and push the start button everything happens as normal except the car doesn't crank and there are no clicks. You push the button and hear what sounds like the fuel pump prime and then it stops and nothing after that. You can push start the car just fine. I haven't tried the starter motor just yet as its really difficult to get to. Car was starting just fine with no issues up until this afternoon, no signs that the starter motor was wearing out. No warning codes on the dash under than tire pressure. I thought possibly the CAS relay but then it wouldn't make sense that it push starts just fine. I tried my spare fob and exact same result.

All the lights work and no dullness. When the car is push started it runs just fine.

What could it possibly be and how can I (if at all possible) test at home?

 

[Jesman]

So I am just needing to source a guy to do a scan

But I had a general question - I went to check if the IBS could be the issue, but despite having an LCI car, there's no IBS on the negative battery terminal. From everything I could find online this is where it would be located. Is there another location and do all LCI models have the IBS? There's no sign of tampering, just looks like there's never been an IBS on the negative terminal.

I have however ruled out the clutch switch, so my main 2 culprits left to check are the CAS relay and the starter motor. I did try smacking the starter motor with a wooden broom handle but no clicks or anything different

Can the starter motor be bridged to test it and how would I do this without removing the intake manifold? its stuck so far under that I don't see a way to do it.

Is there anything else I can check before I get someone to do a scan? I am just concerned that the scan doesn't provide any useful info and want to avoid taking off the intake if I can rule out the starter.

To recap, all that happens when I put the key fob in and push the start button is that the fuel pump primes. No clicks anywhere. When the car does run (after a push start) pushing the start stop button turns the car off. Have checked all the fuses by visually inspecting them as well as checking for continuity with a voltmeter

 

[Jesman]

Just an update - it was the starter motor