[jenndy]

Hello,

Im new to this site and was wondering if anyone can help me? Im not sure if im posting in the right section so im sorry if im not.

I am a proud owner of a 2006 BMW 325i. Up until now ive had no problems with the car. Well today when I got home, i turned off the engine and went to lock my doors with the key remote and nothing...... I kept trying and it wouldnt work. I assumed maybe the remote was dead or something. So I went back to the car and i noticed none of the lights in the car, radio, did not work. Nothing in the car is working. When i put the key in and push the start button, nothing happens. So im assuming its not my remote, its the car i think??? Because of this i couldnt lock my doors so im wondering if theres something i can try in the mean time until i can get the car to the dealer on monday. The car didnt show any kind of sign and i had only made a 5 min drive and it was fine when i was driving. It was all of a sudden.

Also, since maintenance is covered for 4 years, im assuming whatever the problem is should be covered under warranty including towing at the dealer right????

Any idea what it could be?

Thanks in advance.

Jenn

[PYSpeed.com]

My guess is the car battery is dead, since none of the lights in the car is working. Try to call a friend over and try to jump start your car using friend's car's battery. See if that helps...

[jenndy]

Originally Posted by Eric@PYSpeed.com

My guess is the car battery is dead, since none of the lights in the car is working. Try to call a friend over and try to jump start your car using friend's car's battery. See if that helps...

Thanks! I will try that. I hope its something simple as a dead battery.

Any idea why the battery would die all of a sudden with no warning signs? I only have 25k miles on it.

[JeepJeep]

Originally Posted by jenndy

Thanks! I will try that. I hope its something simple as a dead battery.

Any idea why the battery would die all of a sudden with no warning signs? I only have 25k miles on it.

It could just be unfortunate circumstances leading to a compromised battery, or it could just be something as simple as leaving a light on all night, and you using more electricity on the drive then the car was able to regenerate or something.

Either way, try jump-starting the car, and take it to your dealership to see if they can tell how the battery is doing. Or can you not do that until monday?

[Silvertige]

Definitely sounds like a dead battery. It's an easy fix if it is.

[1N54E92]

battery...if the battery is dead then the central locking system will not work. That is the reason why the doors will not lock. If this is the original battery then you should jump the car and drive to a dealership or get a new battery to install it yourself. If you are not mechnically inclined to change the battery then get a friends who is. the battery is located in the trunk (passenger side).

[GMWNashville]

well...the reason i suspect its NOT a dead battery is the OP said that he was just driving the car. typically if the car was just running the battery wont be so dead that nothing will work. it likely sounds like a CAS issue with the car...attempt to jump the car or charge the battery to rule that out.

[Dwill335i]

I believe when the car is running, electric power is provided by the alternator even if the battery is dead as a doornail.

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by Dwill335i

I believe when the car is running, electric power is provided by the alternator even if the battery is dead as a doornail.

That's correct, but it's still odd how the battery was good enough to start the car but mere minutes later didn't have the juice to illuminate a single light. Try jumping the car to see if that helps and if it does, you probably just need a new battery.

Regardless of miles, batteries still have lifespan in terms of time. Most batteries last five years tops, so it wouldn't be that surprising if the battery needs to be replaced. Also, doing many very short trips (25k miles in 3-4 years) will shorten the life of the battery.

Either way, your dealer should make this right for you.

[bsamoul]

PS seems like everything else is covered, but if you decide to jump it, make sure you use the battery terminals under the hood designed for this purpose, don't hook the cables up the battery itself in the trunk.

[jenndy]

Thank you everyone!!

I have been so busy that i have not tried starting the car yet. I have tried to lock the doors and it seems to be working fine. My question is even though the engine will start, should i still take it to the dealer? Maybe it was just a fluke??

I will keep u guys posted....

[jenndy]

Originally Posted by volkswackin

well...the reason i suspect its NOT a dead battery is the OP said that he was just driving the car. typically if the car was just running the battery wont be so dead that nothing will work. it likely sounds like a CAS issue with the car...attempt to jump the car or charge the battery to rule that out.

What is a CAS issue?

Sorry im a girl and very clueless.....

[wt1110]

Happened to me several times in the past with other cars.. most definitely the battery.

[ENINTY]

It sounds like the battery shorted out. If it did, it will not pass current and will not be able to be jump started; so don't be surprised if jumpstarting doesn't work. If the car is under warranty, call BMW roadside assist and have it towed to the dealer.

[Pocket Rocket]

Depress the brake pedal a little farther / harder than normal when starting. I find that sometimes I do not press the brake pedal far enough it will not start.

[The English Hacker]

Originally Posted by jenndy

Thank you everyone!!

I have been so busy that i have not tried starting the car yet. I have tried to lock the doors and it seems to be working fine. My question is even though the engine will start, should i still take it to the dealer? Maybe it was just a fluke??

I will keep u guys posted....

You do know that you can use the key to lock the car, right?

[UncleWede]

Inserting the key into the driver's door still requires battery power to actuate all the locks.

[jzchen]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Inserting the key into the driver's door still requires battery power to actuate all the locks.

+1

The charge kind of redistributes itself I guess. Kind of like if your cell phone dies. After a while you can turn it on again although if you keep repeating, for shorter and shorter periods.

I want to say the problem is the alternator since that can quickly drain a battery, but no warning indication?

Maybe this CAS thingy? I'm a guy, and I don't know/can't find what that is either....