Won't start!

[Steve B]

I had the same on sunday, all dash lights are lit up, wouldn't go into neutral and wouldn't turn over..... Flat battery (what a poxy sized small battery in the boot as well)...


Steve

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Originally Posted by Steve B

I had the same on sunday, all dash lights are lit up, wouldn't go into neutral and wouldn't turn over..... Flat battery (what a poxy sized small battery in the boot as well)...


Steve

Have you not got a trickle charger for the car, or is it used daily

[Steve B]

No electric in my garage as it's in a block of garages away from house... I have now bought a hoooge battery (takes up the whole battery tray) and kept the small 1 for when I sell her as an optional extra

[Jonnymaz]

Hmmm, few options here.

The display definitely shows it going into neutral. Did try pressing the brake harder as just had new rear brake pads and discs.

I seem to recall previous owner got a new battery - larger M3 one - so it's not particularly old or small!

Will try looking at bonnet switch, and turn headlights on to see if battery seems low. Any easy way of telling if it is the battery (eg multimeter etc?)

I drive it maybe once a week so haven't bothered with trickle charger before, maybe I should?

[Levente]

Get the EWS software replaced by bmw. I had a similar problem, and it was the EWS causing it, it was messed up. it costed 50 euro

[Jonnymaz]

Well I've tried the bonnet switch again, and put the main headlights on and they work fine with no dimming, so does that suggest it's not a battery issue? Also I have checked and the battery is only a couple of years old.

The gears are changing fine, I can hear the clunk. When I turn the key in the ignition I can hear a pump whirring for a bit, not sure which one it is.

Read about a "dead spot" on the starter motor, tried rocking it but nothing.

Could it be a failed starter motor?

Any ideas what the significance of the warning light is? I think it is the emissions warning light, which stays on in yellow.

Also, just had a thought, is it normal with CSLs to have a delay between turning the key and firing up? It has always waited for a second or 2 before doing anything. Didn't think anything of this but wonder if it was a symptom if this is not normal?

Sorry to keep with the questions!!

[shimmy]

Look, easy solution. Call the AA.

If your not a member, join, then call them next week.

If you dont want to be an AA member, either buy a charged battery or borrow one, that will rule out alternator or battery.

Otherwise I am afraid you will have to call an auto electrician out or a recovery truck. Sitting waiting for an answer won't work, believe me.

[Equinox]

Sounds exactly the same as mine did the day after I arrived in sount of France, everything electrical working perfectly but not starting, mine was a starter, wouldnt engage at all. Im sure you can get yours dont quicker but little dealers in France spent a week fitting my starter, it's a bit rural where I was though.

[shane@mbtech]

Pretty basic checks will eliminate lots of things.

As Shimmy said you won't find your answers on here. You might get pointers but tbh you are best getting it looked at by someone who knows what they are doing

[Pip1968]

Originally Posted by shimmy

Look, easy solution. Call the AA.

If your not a member, join, then call them next week.

If you dont want to be an AA member, either buy a charged battery or borrow one, that will rule out alternator or battery.

Otherwise I am afraid you will have to call an auto electrician out or a recovery truck. Sitting waiting for an answer won't work, believe me.

Originally Posted by lawsy

Pretty basic checks will eliminate lots of things.

As Shimmy said you won't find your answers on here. You might get pointers but tbh you are best getting it looked at by someone who knows what they are doing

You two are harsh. Give the man a chance. It's the not knowing that is the worst bit. At least it may give you a heads up on cost and wait time. That way you can fend off 'er indoors about what a waste of money the car was and how much money you are spending on her.

.......perhaps that is just me .

If it is any consolation I think my battery may need replacing. It sits on trickle charge but I have noticed of late that the orange charge light stays on for longer before going green. It would not start on pick up from BMW the other day but ironically it started just before that after sitting for nine days at Stanstead in the snow.

Pip