Car wont start, running out of options!

lukernie55 · 10-02-2013, 01:22 PM

alright so I've been having this problem for almost a year now. The first time i had this problem it was said to be the battery, so we got a new battery. Then it was the alternator so i got a new alternator. Then the new battery failed again so we got another new battery.

A couple months went by with no problems but recently if i let the car sit for a day without using it, it wont start. This morning i went to start it and it seemed like it was trying but just wouldn't start. The dashboard starts to spaz out whenever i try to start it and then the car wont start.

Does anyone know what it could be? I've been through two batteries and an alternator in a year so i really doubt that is the problem, and i don't want to spend a thousand dollars at BMW to get a full electronics check.

Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks

Red_Bean_Bun · 10-02-2013, 01:31 PM

Did you code the car for the batteries so it matches the ah ratings ?

What batteries did you get for replacement ?

GoRomeo · 10-02-2013, 01:31 PM

Did you check your starter? Also check your On/Off button do some search on these two...

When you changed your battery did you make sure you did not screw anything up? suchs as the IBS sensor? If this one break car will not start or give you airbag errors

lukernie55 · 10-02-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Bean_Bun

Did you code the car for the batteries so it matches the ah ratings ?

What batteries did you get for replacement ?

Yea it was all done at BMW so its all OEM and done correctly

GoRomeo · 10-02-2013, 01:43 PM

did you read for error codes? You will need OBD reader and cable.

Braumin · 10-02-2013, 01:53 PM

If your car won't charge while it's running, it's the alternator - that's not your issue.

If your car won't hold a charge, it's either one of two things:
1. Battery is old - obviously not your issue
2. You have a drain on your system when the car is off. The only way I know to test this is to put an ammeter in series with your battery and figure out what's drawing the power.

Back when I was an auto tech, my standard for draw was 35 milliamps or less.

To test this though, you are going to need an ammeter with enough significant digits when on the 10A range (ie it should read 10.000 Amps so you can see the milli scale but still be on the 10A fuse - 10.00 would be OK as well but obviously you lose accuracy).

Don't ever try this on the milliamp scale on a mulitmeter or you'll pop the fuse right away since the car is literally going to draw quite a bit of power (multiple Amps) until it goes into sleep mode.

The obvious question is do you have anything aftermarket installed? I've seen a lot of this with command start installs, as well as some stereo installs where the amp wasn't turning off.

Edit: Here's a link to how to test this: http://www.flashoffroad.com/electric...teryDrain.html

10-02-2013, 01:22 PM	#1
lukernie55 New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2006 bmw 325xi Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Car wont start, running out of options! alright so I've been having this problem for almost a year now. The first time i had this problem it was said to be the battery, so we got a new battery. Then it was the alternator so i got a new alternator. Then the new battery failed again so we got another new battery. A couple months went by with no problems but recently if i let the car sit for a day without using it, it wont start. This morning i went to start it and it seemed like it was trying but just wouldn't start. The dashboard starts to spaz out whenever i try to start it and then the car wont start. Does anyone know what it could be? I've been through two batteries and an alternator in a year so i really doubt that is the problem, and i don't want to spend a thousand dollars at BMW to get a full electronics check. Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks
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10-02-2013, 01:31 PM	#2
Red_Bean_Bun Captain 63 Rep 944 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montreal iTrader: (4)	Did you code the car for the batteries so it matches the ah ratings ? What batteries did you get for replacement ?
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10-02-2013, 01:31 PM	#3
GoRomeo Brigadier General 1251 Rep 4,166 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Did you check your starter? Also check your On/Off button do some search on these two... When you changed your battery did you make sure you did not screw anything up? suchs as the IBS sensor? If this one break car will not start or give you airbag errors
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10-02-2013, 01:43 PM	#5
GoRomeo Brigadier General 1251 Rep 4,166 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	did you read for error codes? You will need OBD reader and cable.
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10-02-2013, 01:53 PM	#6
Braumin First Lieutenant 41 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Regina, SK, CAN iTrader: (0)	If your car won't charge while it's running, it's the alternator - that's not your issue. If your car won't hold a charge, it's either one of two things: 1. Battery is old - obviously not your issue 2. You have a drain on your system when the car is off. The only way I know to test this is to put an ammeter in series with your battery and figure out what's drawing the power. Back when I was an auto tech, my standard for draw was 35 milliamps or less. To test this though, you are going to need an ammeter with enough significant digits when on the 10A range (ie it should read 10.000 Amps so you can see the milli scale but still be on the 10A fuse - 10.00 would be OK as well but obviously you lose accuracy). Don't ever try this on the milliamp scale on a mulitmeter or you'll pop the fuse right away since the car is literally going to draw quite a bit of power (multiple Amps) until it goes into sleep mode. The obvious question is do you have anything aftermarket installed? I've seen a lot of this with command start installs, as well as some stereo installs where the amp wasn't turning off. Edit: Here's a link to how to test this: http://www.flashoffroad.com/electric...teryDrain.html Last edited by Braumin; 10-02-2013 at 02:33 PM.. Reason: Adding Link
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