This was my dream car- then the nightmare

ProblemCoupe · 08-01-2023, 06:02 PM

I've owned my 2011 128i coupe for a little over a week.
I did my homework before I bought it, and crossed my fingers that I got a decent one, clean carfax, one owner, 118k miles..

I really was in heaven driving this car..

But now its in my driveway with a dead electrical system, no amount of charging under the hood will do anything, dead dash, luckily the windows were rolled down.

I can't fold down the rear seats from inside the car, has to be done from the trunk.
I can't get into to the trunk, because no key slot and fob doesn't pop the trunk because the electrical system is dead.
I have an appointment for a specialist in two weeks, the soonest he can fit me in..

fast1eddy · 08-01-2023, 06:04 PM

We’ll that’s some shit luck. There was a recall for battery cable on these cars. Not sure what issue it would cause but this maybe it.

ShocknAwe · 08-01-2023, 06:24 PM

Likely a frayed grounding strap or your under hood terminal cables are rotten. Animals/rodents and rust/corrosion do this.

N55e82Simon · 08-01-2023, 06:32 PM

You can remove the rear passenger speaker and pull the rear seat cable. Or you can fish a pull line between the seats and pull the emergency release cable. When you get in the trunk and battery you will likely see the problem. Likely and bad ground cable. Sorry to hear :/ I know that’s a bad feeling and hopefully it’s just a small easy fix!

08-01-2023, 06:02 PM	#1
ProblemCoupe Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 128i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Lakeport, California iTrader: (0)	This was my dream car- then the nightmare I've owned my 2011 128i coupe for a little over a week. I did my homework before I bought it, and crossed my fingers that I got a decent one, clean carfax, one owner, 118k miles.. I really was in heaven driving this car.. But now its in my driveway with a dead electrical system, no amount of charging under the hood will do anything, dead dash, luckily the windows were rolled down. I can't fold down the rear seats from inside the car, has to be done from the trunk. I can't get into to the trunk, because no key slot and fob doesn't pop the trunk because the electrical system is dead. I have an appointment for a specialist in two weeks, the soonest he can fit me in..
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08-01-2023, 06:04 PM	#2
fast1eddy First Lieutenant 270 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] [0.00]	We’ll that’s some shit luck. There was a recall for battery cable on these cars. Not sure what issue it would cause but this maybe it.
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08-01-2023, 06:24 PM	#3
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Likely a frayed grounding strap or your under hood terminal cables are rotten. Animals/rodents and rust/corrosion do this. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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08-01-2023, 06:32 PM	#4
N55e82Simon Private First Class 151 Rep 116 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: May 2023 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 bmw 135i [9.33]	You can remove the rear passenger speaker and pull the rear seat cable. Or you can fish a pull line between the seats and pull the emergency release cable. When you get in the trunk and battery you will likely see the problem. Likely and bad ground cable. Sorry to hear :/ I know that’s a bad feeling and hopefully it’s just a small easy fix!
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