When your car is running normally everything is fine, however if it begins to have frequent complications you may possibly start to worry, specifically if your motor vehicle won’t start. In this post we will show you where the starter of a BMW X3 is, it will help you to solve your ignition complications. To do this, we will first explain the role of a starter, then, where is the starter on a BMW X3 , and, at last, how to replace the starter of a motor vehicle.

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Purpose of the starter on your BMW X3

We start this content by detailing the role of the starter motor on your BMW X3. The starter is an electric motor which is powered by your battery, its function will be to make your engine run at a high enough speed to start it (usually around 300/400 rpm). It is composed of three main parts:

  • The Solenoid: This part is an electrical relay that will work as a switch, it will be activated by the key of your BMW X3 and let the current from your battery to the engine of your alternator.
  • The engine: Main element of your alternator, it is the one that will drive the flywheel of your BMW X3 and create enough speed for your engine to start.

  • The engagement pinion: This is the last component of your starter, it is the toothed wheel that will be in direct contact with the flywheel, it enables to transmit the force from the starter to the engine.

Where is the starter on a BMW X3?

Now that we have quickly detailed what a starter is and how it functions, we will answer the question that most of you have to ask yourselves where is the starter based on a BMW X3? It is quite easy to find a starter, in truth, it is a large component that will almost constantly be situated in a similar place. We let you discover the two possible locations for your motor vehicle starter below.

Location of the starter on traditional BMW X3

First and most basic case, where to find the starter of a BMW X3 with a conventional motor (implied without start and stop). The starter has a specific objective, to start the engine of your motor vehicle, for that, it must constantly be near the engine flywheel of this one because it is the component that it actuates when it is used. The flywheel is based at the junction between your gearbox and your engine.

Location of the starter to BMW X3 with start and stop

And now second possible starter location of your BMW X3 . This case is much less frequent. It just relates to engines fitted with start and stop, and a good component of them will be equipped with a starter situated close to the flywheel. However, on some specific series or engines, the starter of your BMW X3 may be integrated in your alternator, it is then known as a starter-alternator, to find it nothing much easier, identify your accessory belt and you should discover the big starter block.

How to replace the starter on a BMW X3?

Finally, we’ll describe to you quite quickly how to replace the starter of a BMW X3. This procedure is not actually complex, it can be considered by people who have a lowest of basic mechanical knowledge and adapted tools. Stick to below the main steps to carry out this intervention:

  • Disconnect the battery on your BMW X3, if you don’t know how to do it, don’t think twice to seek advice from our content which points out how to do it without taking any risk.
  • After discovering your starter, loosen the fasteners that hold it in your engine block, there will generally be 2 or 3
  • .

  • It will be time to disconnect the power cables from the starter motor of your BMW X3, however before doing so we advise you to take a picture of the installation to avoid making a mistake when reassembling.
  • It’s possible that to take out it you may possibly need to take out parts like the gimbal.
  • Remount the new starter, being careful when connecting the connectors.
  • Reconnect your battery and test your starter.

If perhaps you have any additional questions about the BMW X3, do not hesitate to consult our BMW X3 category.