Push Start- No start ideas?

[VictorH]

Got in my car this am to go to work, push start with foot on brake like I have for the past 10 years, except today, ignition comes on, but no starter engagement and of course motor doesn't start. Not a peep. No luck at all, just sits there with no noise just all the lights on like normal pre-start.

1) Changed key battery, tried key in dash, no luck
2) Battery is good, only 2 years old, car ran fine yesterday, no issues.
3) Used my code reader, I have fault on the "Car Access System"
"Code is AOC1 - Present, CAS output terminal 50"

What does that mean and can I fix it or am I stuck with a tow to the shop? I'm pretty handy with this car, but this one is a complete stumper for me. Anyone experience or have advice as to what I might try next. Thanks

[Richbot]

Did you do the "hold it against the steering column" trick? The family E93 has a spot you can hold the key against if it won't start?

[VictorH]

Mine's an '09 so it still has a key slot if you want to use it for when you have a dead key battery, not sure I have a receiver in the steering column. Anyway, with the key in the key slot, it still just sits there and does nothing.

[codinge90]

Starter is going out. It'll start eventually but you gotta push the start stop button like 20-30 times for it to finally crank. I got the same code when my starter failed. You can try disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery and plugging it back in, that seemed to fix my issue temporarily whenever it wouldn't start

[mapster37]

sounds like bad starter if u can push start vehicle, try different key just in case....

[jcolley]

Loose positive connection to starter or ground cable. Any work done recently?

[VictorH]

only body shop work (repair to A-pillar, but probably 3 months ago now), but checked both positive and neg terminals at the battery and they were tight with no corrosion.

[jcolley]

Check the wiring from the jump start point over to the starter itself. A0C1 is triggered when voltage at the output of the starter relay to the solenoid is low. This happens when voltage drop downstream of the battery happens, usually as a result of a loose or oxidized connection.

[VictorH]

Originally Posted by jcolley

Check the wiring from the jump start point over to the starter itself. A0C1 is triggered when voltage at the output of the starter relay to the solenoid is low. This happens when voltage drop downstream of the battery happens, usually as a result of a loose or oxidized connection.

Good tip, thank you. I removed wire to the jump start point and reattached with dielectric grease (it was not oxidized), did the same at the battery end. I guess to check the starter connection I'd have to do disassembly same as prep for starter replacement. I'm going to charge battery overnight and see if my luck is any better.

My starter hasn't made any unusual noises and I don't have any prolonged cranking before starting, it just stopped working. However, it's not unusual that I might have 3-5 stop starts every day and I'm at 137,000 miles so maybe the starter just decided to poop out. But sort of weird no warning at all, just now no function at all, not even a click.

[amrazM]

Check ground from oil pan to the body. It’s on the driver side, if LH, the rear corner of the motor.

[OneSickM]

Classic starter problem. I had same exact symptoms with same code. I replaced the starter and I am back to the road. No issues since then. At mileage similar like yours starting will go out.

Replace the starter and don't waste your time with troubleshooting other issues. Unfortunately it is not easy DIY but it is doable. If I had to do it again, I will take it to an indy.

[TomHudson]

Same issue here, it was the starter.

It slowly requires more juice to get through the failing starter, so jumping it would occasionally work until it died.

Big DIY, get an Indy to do it...not cheap though...

[VictorH]

Gentlemen,
Thank you for the advice and you guys are all pretty consistent that I need a new starter. Charged the battery up over night and tried it again this AM. Still no start, no noise, nothing, so I'm going to replace the starter. I'm pretty handy, have all the proper tools and there's a really nice DYI on our forum, so that's the plan.

I'll let you know the outcome is once I get it in and done.

[VictorH]

You guys rock!!
New starter, new idle control valve (only did it because it's a nuisance to get in there and I was having cold start stalling), and now it's good as new. Spins motor a lot faster than the old one too.

Thanks again for the spot-on advice. I'm a happy camper again!! Missed my car was fun to drive it again today.