[E90 Stealth]

06' E90 325i N52

Hi all - It seems I have lost all electricity (with the exception of the battery, measuring at 13-14 ish volts). Could not pop open the trunk, no lights on the dash, no interior lights, zip zilch nada.

Initially, the car sat for a couple weeks and would no longer start (I believe at this point, there was still power). When I decided to jump it, a small spark occurred and since then, no power whatsoever.

I checked several fuses in the fuse box in front of the passengers seat (wasn't sure which one to check) and all looked fine. Also checked fuses under the hood (in the white box), those looked fine as well.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys!

[MrPig]

You may have fried one of the modules. Did you jump from the trunk or from under the hood?

[Delta0311]

When did you replace the original battery?

[E90 Stealth]

Originally Posted by MrPig

You may have fried one of the modules. Did you jump from the trunk or from under the hood?

under the hood

[E90 Stealth]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

When did you replace the original battery?

replaced the battery about a year ago

[E90 Stealth]

Originally Posted by MrPig

You may have fried one of the modules. Did you jump from the trunk or from under the hood?

Which module might that be? and where?

[MrPig]

I believe it's called the IBS (intelligent battery sensor) but there may be others. There were also several threads here throughout the years about the e90 battery cable issue (BMW has a recall for it, iirc).

[rick100]

Originally Posted by E90 Stealth

06' E90 325i N52

Hi all - It seems I have lost all electricity (with the exception of the battery, measuring at 13-14 ish volts). Could not pop open the trunk, no lights on the dash, no interior lights, zip zilch nada.

Initially, the car sat for a couple weeks and would no longer start (I believe at this point, there was still power). When I decided to jump it, a small spark occurred and since then, no power whatsoever.

I checked several fuses in the fuse box in front of the passengers seat (wasn't sure which one to check) and all looked fine. Also checked fuses under the hood (in the white box), those looked fine as well.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys!

if the spark was at the battery terminals , this is normal.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by MrPig

I believe it's called the IBS (intelligent battery sensor) but there may be others. There were also several threads here throughout the years about the e90 battery cable issue (BMW has a recall for it, iirc).

Good point.

OP did you ever get your cable replaced? You should have got a recall letter on that.

[E90 Stealth]

Originally Posted by rick100

if the spark was at the battery terminals , this is normal.

the spark was while I was grounding the negative cable under the hood. pos to pos, neg (of running car) to ground. I thought that was okay, but there definitely aren't any more sparks.

[E90 Stealth]

Originally Posted by MrPig

I believe it's called the IBS (intelligent battery sensor) but there may be others. There were also several threads here throughout the years about the e90 battery cable issue (BMW has a recall for it, iirc).

Hmm, I remember reading about the IBS, It is attached to the negative terminal of the battery correct?. Good thought.

For testing purposes, could I remove this and see what type of response I get?

I just got off the phone w/the dealership. The guy said he has never heard of "loss of electrical power" on a BMW...I found this interesting:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...3V044-6848.PDF

Anyhow, it looks like to recall covers makes manuf'd in 12/07. Mine was manuf'd 07/06 so no suck luck.

I found a new IBS on eBay for around $200. Bummer

The battery cable in question, is that the portion of the connected between the battery and the wheel well?

[E90 Stealth]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Good point.

OP did you ever get your cable replaced? You should have got a recall letter on that.

Never replaced the cable in question. However, I am measuring 13-14 V under the hood (the +terminal post). So if that cable were in fact corrupt, I would not get that measure correct?

No recall letter as I am not the original owner.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by E90 Stealth

Never replaced the cable in question. However, I am measuring 13-14 V under the hood (the +terminal post). So if that cable were in fact corrupt, I would not get that measure correct?

No recall letter as I am not the original owner.

You're right your voltage under the hood would be 0 and 13-14V means your battery is solid so at least you can rule that out.

[MrPig]

The other thing I can think of is a loose cable attached to your glove box fuse box. In one of the threads about the cable recall, I remember seeing someone mention that as a potential issue.

I did a quick google search and this came up (older e90post thread) regarding the IBS;

Yes, the blue wire should be connected. That is how ECU communicates to the IBS. If IBS itself has gone bad which is located directly on the negative terminal, then the car may not start. Often, taking that blue connector out temporarily, may start the car since that stops communication between ECU and IBS. Also, if you ever need to remove IBS to change battery, be very gentle since it is sensitive to mechanical stress and changes its calibration point needed for accurate measurement of battery charge characteristics and its history.

Thread in question (picture indicating where the blue plug is in the OP); http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679775

Thread detailing loose cable at fuse box; http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635686

[E90 Stealth]

I don't recall of top if that blue cable is connected or not. I'll have to take a look tonight and see.

It also sounds like taking out the IBS for troubleshooting purposes is a good idea.

[E90 Stealth]

Originally Posted by MrPig

Thread detailing loose cable at fuse box; http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635686

Nice find, Now I have another reason to want to leave work. Man it's tempting to call it a day!

[E90 Stealth]

Since I wasn't satisfied with the first BMW dealership I called, I figured I'd try another one. Much better result on the second call. They need to check my key for any recalls.

I might make a clean brake with this one guys. Will keep everyone posted.

[E90 Stealth]

I should have started by saying the car has been sitting for a few months. With regard to the 13-14V I measured, that was at that time (a few months ago).

With that out of the way, I measured my voltage yesterday and I was around 3-4V. Understandable. I did notice the blue wire (ECM) around the battery compartment was disconnected. I connected it, hooked jumper cables and electricity was present! Eventually, it charged enough to start.

I wish I first tested jumping without connecting the ECM to rule out a moisture concern that may have dried after sitting for a few months. Although, this scenario sounds unlikely.

For informational purposes, would disconnecting the ECM really keep the car from starting? Would it really shut down all electricity to the point where the interior lights wouldn't even come on?

Thanks for all of your suggestions, I am so glad to have my car running again without having to pay a dime!

[9352e90]

Dealers crack me up...

- "I just got off the phone w/the dealership. The guy said he has never heard of "loss of electrical power" on a BMW...I found this interesting"

Just wait, next he might tell you he's never heard of once braking down either