It is impossible to start an electric BMW i3 – how to fix it?

As BMW’s first mass-produced electric car, the i3 requires slightly different maintenance than combustion cars. Read our advice if you can’t start the engine in your BMW i3. We write about potential messages on the clocks and safe starting methods for this model.

What is the reason for the BMW i3’s electric engine not being able to start?

BMW electric cars are started via the Start button. After starting, the tachometer hands should move to the Ready position and all the lights should appear on the clocks as a test. If no error message is displayed – the car is ready to drive.

If there are problems with the start of the electrics, preparation for driving will not take place. The tachometer pointer will not be in the Ready position and the Ready message will not appear. There can be many reasons for such a fault, starting with the simplest and most common one in the form of a discharged 12-volt low-voltage battery, which is an auxiliary battery. Its function is to power the vehicle’s electronics. Failure to properly power the controls prevents the relays that turn on the high-voltage batteries from starting the vehicle. This can be caused by a discharged 12-volt battery, but can also be caused by damage to the electrical system or by the vehicle being involved in a collision.

The high-voltage battery protection system has been prepared to automatically shut down/lock out high-voltage batteries in the event of a collision. This is to prevent battery fires. Information about the shutdown of a battery due to a collision is permanently stored in the high-voltage battery controller. Unlocking such a battery is not possible and requires its replacement or regeneration.

What lights (warning signals) are visible when the electric motor in the BMW i3 cannot be started?

If the BMW i3 has trouble starting, we may see the message “Drive Failure” or none of the lights on the clocks and the monitor want to start when the Start button is pressed. The lack of any response in the electric car to the Start button signals a problem with the electrical system.

No messages or warning signals are visible, when trying to start the electric motor in the BMW i3 – what to do?

Try connecting a charger or battery from another vehicle using starter cables to your 12-volt battery located under the hood at the front of the vehicle. When doing so, be very careful and avoid touching any orange-colored cables or connectors. These are high voltage components. If, after connecting the starter cables or charging the battery through the charger, the car revives and the lights come on – you can start the vehicle and go to the service center to check the reason for the fault.

I own a BMW i3 REX with an internal combustion engine that charges the battery – what should I do if I can’t start the car?

The same method also works for a BMW i3 REX with an internal combustion engine. To start the vehicle, we must have a working 12-volt electrical system. As with a full electric, try connecting starter cables or a charger to the 12-volt battery and get the engine to start via the Start button.

Is it possible to emergency start the engine in an electric BMW i3 (and REX version) via starter cables? If so, how to do it properly?

The only way to start through the starter cables is to apply voltage to the 12-volt battery. To do this, hook up the starter cables from another vehicle with the correct colors:

• first the red plus ( ) from the discharged car to the plus ( ) of the car with electricity
• then blue or black minus (-) from the car with electricity to the minus (-) of the discharged car

Do not use any boosters or high-current starting apparatus for such starting.

Applying voltage via starter cables does not start the internal combustion engine, but only applies voltage to the controllers, which will allow the high-voltage battery to start. If there is no response from the vehicle after plugging in the cables, stop further action and call for roadside assistance.

Is it possible to emergency-start a BMW i3 (and REX version) using the push or tow method? If so, how to do it properly?

It is not possible to start an electric vehicle, as well as a hybrid, using the push or tow method.

In the absence of voltage, the drive wheels remain locked (transmission in the Parking position) and there is no way to unlock it. Any attempt to forcibly start such a vehicle will cause damage to the drivetrain.

If the engine of the BMW i3 cannot be started, how should it be towed so as not to damage the vehicle?

An electric or hybrid vehicle should be transported on a trailer in case of failure. Loading and unloading onto the trailer should be done using rollers.

Where can an electric BMW i3 (and REX version) be repaired?

Electric and hybrid cars can only be repaired at service centers equipped with the proper equipment to service electric vehicles and personnel trained to do so. In addition, in Poland, personnel are required to have SEP power authorization in the category up to 1 kV.

It is forbidden for users of electric vehicles to attempt repair or servicing on their own. Any such attempt is at risk of being electrocuted by high-voltage systems above 400 volts DC and causing a fire.

BM Cars service center in Katowice provides ongoing repair and maintenance services for BMW and other brands of electric and hybrid cars. We have superbly trained and authorized personnel and appropriate technical facilities.

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