My car died!

deutschmann59 · 06-09-2006, 03:34 PM

Well, here's a new one. My car won't start at all!

Yesterday, I started it up and it had a real "hard" start...definitely not normal. Then I noticed the clock had been reset. I reset the time and took off to the gym. When I left the gym, another "hard" start and the clock was reset again.

Now today, my car sits in the garage, completely unable to start!

I just got off the phone with Roadside assistance and they said they'll be here in about 90 minutes or less to check it out. They said it sounds like a battery issue, but if it isn't they'll need to tow it to the dealer.

I guess it could be the battery, but all the lights still go on, including the parking and brake lights.

I'm waiting for the guys to come and check it out. I'll be sure to let you know what happens.

ShiraiwaRiku · 06-09-2006, 03:37 PM

I hope it is the battery, then it's just a minor issue

wish you best of luck!!

FLIP954RR · 06-09-2006, 03:51 PM

if the car is completel dead-nothing is going on-then its the battery.
Good Luck!!

btc · 06-09-2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Well, here's a new one. My car won't start at all!

Yesterday, I started it up and it had a real "hard" start...definitely not normal. Then I noticed the clock had been reset. I reset the time and took off to the gym. When I left the gym, another "hard" start and the clock was reset again.

Now today, my car sits in the garage, completely unable to start!

I just got off the phone with Roadside assistance and they said they'll be here in about 90 minutes or less to check it out. They said it sounds like a battery issue, but if it isn't they'll need to tow it to the dealer.

I guess it could be the battery, but all the lights still go on, including the parking and brake lights.

I'm waiting for the guys to come and check it out. I'll be sure to let you know what happens.

Hey Sharp,

If you still have your car, go out and check the BST cable on the top of your battery, if it loose, then they need to get you a new part.

deutschmann59 · 06-09-2006, 04:41 PM

Well, thanks for the best wishes guys, but they don't think it's a battery issue, but I guess they'll know for sure tomorrow. It started as soon as they jumped it, but they said it's best to have the dealer look at it.

deutschmann59 · 06-09-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btc

Hey Sharp,

If you still have your car, go out and check the BST cable on the top of your battery, if it loose, then they need to get you a new part.

Hey btc...you posted right before me. Nah, they just towed it out of here...

but thanks for the suggestion. I'll see what the dealer has to say tomorrow. I'll let you guys know what happens...

STE92VE · 06-09-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Hey btc...you posted right before me. Nah, they just towed it out of here...

Did they really tow it or did they put it on a flat bed?

deutschmann59 · 06-09-2006, 04:47 PM

Well, they put it on a roll-back.

Sorry

deutschmann59 · 06-12-2006, 03:24 PM

Well, here's the update so far:

The service guy has no idea what's wrong with the car. He said he knows the car was as dead as...dead, but can't find the problem. The car hasn't been sitting...there's only 3000 miles on the car, but I drive it everyday, just mainly in the city.

He said there is some kind of protector if I accidentally left the headlights or something on, so that's not it.

He said there was a "parasitic sensor" on all day to see where the drain was coming from, but he couldn't find anything. He said I could take it home, but nothing was found or fixed.

I guess I should have asked him this, but I just thought of it now: he said "it" was dead...I don't know if he was talking about the battery or the car, but he said he there's nothing wrong with the battery and couldn't give me a new one. So if there's no new battery, what could they have done (besides jump it) that would have made it start working again, and that I'd be able to take it back home?

Anyway, I told him I didn't want to take it home, and that it was better for them to check it out again tomorrow and see what happens. He's going to let me know tomorrow.

He's at a loss, and so am I. Now what do I do? Suppose them can't find the problem? This doesn't make any sense!

FeeBear · 06-12-2006, 04:45 PM

Well, in my non-expert opinion, I have to say it sounds like some kind of short, either in the battery or the Alternator. The problems sounds like you aren't getting good recharge into your battery or the battery isn't holding a charge. The problem with shorts in an electrical system is it is a bitch to find because it doesn't happen all the time.

Fee

JSpira · 06-12-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Well, here's the update so far:

The service guy has no idea what's wrong with the car. He said he knows the car was as dead as...dead, but can't find the problem. The car hasn't been sitting...there's only 3000 miles on the car, but I drive it everyday, just mainly in the city.

He said there is some kind of protector if I accidentally left the headlights or something on, so that's not it.

He said there was a "parasitic sensor" on all day to see where the drain was coming from, but he couldn't find anything. He said I could take it home, but nothing was found or fixed.

I guess I should have asked him this, but I just thought of it now: he said "it" was dead...I don't know if he was talking about the battery or the car, but he said he there's nothing wrong with the battery and couldn't give me a new one. So if there's no new battery, what could they have done (besides jump it) that would have made it start working again, and that I'd be able to take it back home?

Anyway, I told him I didn't want to take it home, and that it was better for them to check it out again tomorrow and see what happens. He's going to let me know tomorrow.

He's at a loss, and so am I. Now what do I do? Suppose them can't find the problem? This doesn't make any sense!

I had a recurrent problem with my 5er that went on for almost a year.

Finally the dealer disconnected all of the cars various modules that use power and reconnected them one by one to see if there was a short. They didn't find anything but this super-reboot as it were fixed the problem

Jay_328 · 06-12-2006, 09:20 PM

Did you get a loaner or rental?

powderhound · 06-13-2006, 03:15 PM

These cars are so electronically complex - BMW mechanics ned to be far from ordinary.

Sharp, please post the result of your situation...I'm sure some of us will also run in to it. thanks very much.

deutschmann59 · 06-13-2006, 05:59 PM

Well, I got my car back today!

And absolutely nothing was done to it!

They fully recharged the battery and performed a "DIS" test. The only thing in the fault memory was a dead battery, so they have no clue as to what happened or why.

As I said they had the car on a parasitic sensor all day yesterday, all last night, and all this morning, and they came up with nothing. They told me BMW is aware of it because when they have a problem of this nature and can't figure it out, it goes to BMW.

I'd imagine this sort of thing will happen to others, but for me it wasn't out of the blue...there were a few strange things that happened that led up to this, so if you notice any of these, you may be headed in the same situation as me:

My "Low Battery" warning light would come on after about 20-30 seconds after getting in the car with just the radio was on (I sometimes would sit in the car and listen to make sure a newly-burnt CD played ok, but without having the engine started).
The car wouldn't start right...it would make a strange noise before turning over--definitely a noticable bad engine start
My clock kept reseting itself

I hope this can help you guys out. If any of these things happen, you may be nearing a dead battery for some reason. I hope BMW can get to the bottom of this.

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, guys!

David328M-Sport · 06-13-2006, 07:02 PM

Let's hope that your problem was isolated - maybe a computer "one off" - and you dont fall prey to the problem again.

Still, it would be nice to know exactly why it happened.

All the best.

deutschmann59 · 06-13-2006, 08:08 PM

Thanks, David...yeah, I'd like to know what caused it too. I mean, if all they did was recharge the battery, then whatever caused this in the first place might pop up again. I mean, for all I know I could have another dead battery tomorrow...next week...next month...who knows? And even the dealer told me this!

I just don't feel very confident about this right now. I shouldn't be afraid that my car might not start!

jim lee · 07-17-2006, 11:15 PM

Hmm.... this evening I went to my car and had absolutely no electrical power. Couldn't even open the locks with the remote. Car has been just fine for 4600 miles and left it this a.m. locked with no accessories. BMW Assist sent a truck, jump start worked fine, and I drove over to the dealership without incident. Started just fine there, but they are going to look at it tomorrow (and do the telematics campaign fix). Loaned me a nice convertible in the meantime.

Jim
2006 325xiT Sport Wagon

06-09-2006, 03:34 PM	#1
deutschmann59 Captain 176 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	My car died! Well, here's a new one. My car won't start at all! Yesterday, I started it up and it had a real "hard" start...definitely not normal. Then I noticed the clock had been reset. I reset the time and took off to the gym. When I left the gym, another "hard" start and the clock was reset again. Now today, my car sits in the garage, completely unable to start! I just got off the phone with Roadside assistance and they said they'll be here in about 90 minutes or less to check it out. They said it sounds like a battery issue, but if it isn't they'll need to tow it to the dealer. I guess it could be the battery, but all the lights still go on, including the parking and brake lights. I'm waiting for the guys to come and check it out. I'll be sure to let you know what happens.
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06-09-2006, 03:37 PM	#2
ShiraiwaRiku Baby Driver 177 Rep 1,120 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (9)	I hope it is the battery, then it's just a minor issue wish you best of luck!!
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06-09-2006, 03:51 PM	#3
FLIP954RR B.A. BARACUS 12 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 06 330xi Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC,NY iTrader: (0)	if the car is completel dead-nothing is going on-then its the battery. Good Luck!! __________________ Hey Baby, you remind me of a famous star--A Monstar!!
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06-09-2006, 04:41 PM	#5
deutschmann59 Captain 176 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Well, thanks for the best wishes guys, but they don't think it's a battery issue, but I guess they'll know for sure tomorrow. It started as soon as they jumped it, but they said it's best to have the dealer look at it.
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06-09-2006, 04:47 PM	#8
deutschmann59 Captain 176 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Well, they put it on a roll-back. Sorry
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06-12-2006, 03:24 PM	#9
deutschmann59 Captain 176 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Well, here's the update so far: The service guy has no idea what's wrong with the car. He said he knows the car was as dead as...dead, but can't find the problem. The car hasn't been sitting...there's only 3000 miles on the car, but I drive it everyday, just mainly in the city. He said there is some kind of protector if I accidentally left the headlights or something on, so that's not it. He said there was a "parasitic sensor" on all day to see where the drain was coming from, but he couldn't find anything. He said I could take it home, but nothing was found or fixed. I guess I should have asked him this, but I just thought of it now: he said "it" was dead...I don't know if he was talking about the battery or the car, but he said he there's nothing wrong with the battery and couldn't give me a new one. So if there's no new battery, what could they have done (besides jump it) that would have made it start working again, and that I'd be able to take it back home? Anyway, I told him I didn't want to take it home, and that it was better for them to check it out again tomorrow and see what happens. He's going to let me know tomorrow. He's at a loss, and so am I. Now what do I do? Suppose them can't find the problem? This doesn't make any sense!
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06-12-2006, 04:45 PM	#10
FeeBear Fee 13 Rep 249 Posts Drives: F82 SO M4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X2 [0.00]	Well, in my non-expert opinion, I have to say it sounds like some kind of short, either in the battery or the Alternator. The problems sounds like you aren't getting good recharge into your battery or the battery isn't holding a charge. The problem with shorts in an electrical system is it is a bitch to find because it doesn't happen all the time. Fee
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06-12-2006, 09:20 PM	#12
Jay_328 Lieutenant Colonel 119 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 07 e92 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 07 E92 328 [0.00]	Did you get a loaner or rental?
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06-13-2006, 03:15 PM	#13
powderhound Powderhound 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: BMW 325xi Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	These cars are so electronically complex - BMW mechanics ned to be far from ordinary. Sharp, please post the result of your situation...I'm sure some of us will also run in to it. thanks very much. __________________ Powderhound '06 325xi - 6spd man - Prem. Pkg - Sports Pkg - Cld Weather - iDrive - Xenon - SAT R. - graphite / poplar / black
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06-13-2006, 05:59 PM	#14
deutschmann59 Captain 176 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Well, I got my car back today! And absolutely nothing was done to it! They fully recharged the battery and performed a "DIS" test. The only thing in the fault memory was a dead battery, so they have no clue as to what happened or why. As I said they had the car on a parasitic sensor all day yesterday, all last night, and all this morning, and they came up with nothing. They told me BMW is aware of it because when they have a problem of this nature and can't figure it out, it goes to BMW. I'd imagine this sort of thing will happen to others, but for me it wasn't out of the blue...there were a few strange things that happened that led up to this, so if you notice any of these, you may be headed in the same situation as me: My "Low Battery" warning light would come on after about 20-30 seconds after getting in the car with just the radio was on (I sometimes would sit in the car and listen to make sure a newly-burnt CD played ok, but without having the engine started). The car wouldn't start right...it would make a strange noise before turning over--definitely a noticable bad engine start My clock kept reseting itself I hope this can help you guys out. If any of these things happen, you may be nearing a dead battery for some reason. I hope BMW can get to the bottom of this. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, guys!
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06-13-2006, 07:02 PM	#15
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	Let's hope that your problem was isolated - maybe a computer "one off" - and you dont fall prey to the problem again. Still, it would be nice to know exactly why it happened. All the best. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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06-13-2006, 08:08 PM	#16
deutschmann59 Captain 176 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Thanks, David...yeah, I'd like to know what caused it too. I mean, if all they did was recharge the battery, then whatever caused this in the first place might pop up again. I mean, for all I know I could have another dead battery tomorrow...next week...next month...who knows? And even the dealer told me this! I just don't feel very confident about this right now. I shouldn't be afraid that my car might not start!
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07-17-2006, 11:15 PM	#17
jim lee Enlisted Member 2 Rep 31 Posts Drives: Electric Red 325xiT Wagon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan iTrader: (0)	Same Thing Happened to Me Today Hmm.... this evening I went to my car and had absolutely no electrical power. Couldn't even open the locks with the remote. Car has been just fine for 4600 miles and left it this a.m. locked with no accessories. BMW Assist sent a truck, jump start worked fine, and I drove over to the dealership without incident. Started just fine there, but they are going to look at it tomorrow (and do the telematics campaign fix). Loaned me a nice convertible in the meantime. Jim 2006 325xiT Sport Wagon
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