Won't engage starter - REALLY?

2004 330xi, started fine, drove to grocery store parked, came back out to

go home - all the dash lights come on, no starter though. :cry:



Key fob battery. We've found out doesn't need to be in the fob at all for

the key to work. It's as if there is a small bar magnet in the fob that just

needs to be near the column for the car to start. We've played with the

distance.



Anyway it's been month's working without a battery in the key fob.



When we first got it, it did the same thing - reached down by the starter

to feel if the wires might be loose, next thing it started?



So, late last night I tired to "feel" if that might be the repeating case,

nope, not this time.:rolleyes:



I've done the starter on our 323, but would like - hope it's not time to

repeat the job on this one. What were they thinking about when they

put the starter is such a poorly confined space? " let's see if we can hide

the starter" :thumbdwn:



Is there a test point by any chance to see if the key is engaging the starter,

or do I have to see if I can reach it thru the end of the channel it's in?



I've read where suggestions have said "new key", how do you know how

to test it to see if the key is not engaging the system? If the key turns on

the ignition lights, isn't it done with it's part? :facepalm: All dash lights come on,

then go out - but the oil and battery ones.



Why couldn't this stuff happen when I need something else to do? :tsk: