my car died, while i was driving!!!!

sebaNYC · 10-21-2012, 01:27 PM

friday night i went out, i was tired so i went home early, while i was driving, i notice my lights went off and half second after, the entire car is off!!! and i was still driving, luckily i was close to a red light and i was slow.

the entire car was dead, not even the blinkers (flashlights, or hazard lights, i dont really know how they call them)

finally the car stop, i tried to turn on the car, bad idea, i put the transmission in Parking, and of course the car got lock, i wasnt available to put on Neutral to can push the car to the side, i was in the middle of the street.

i call my insurance, so they can send me a tow truck. ETA 1 hour of waiting.

i got off the car, because that night was really foggy and the car was in the middle of the street, while i was waiting the tow truck (more than 1:20 hrs) i started to be cold, so i went to the car to pick up my sweater, when i open the door, i heard the "gong" and i was like "WTF!!".

i Tried to turn on the car, and tada!!! the car turned On like nothing happen before!!!!!!

i ended up getting home like 5am

The last month i noticed that randomly when i turn on the car, i have to set up the clock, like when you disconnect the battery.

After that scary episode, i thought could be that the battery is dying, but, if it was the battery the problem, it couldnt turn on again after an hour or so, without giving a jump of anything.

so i checked and it looks like is the Alternator, anyone had this problem?

can really be the alternator? or something else?

i dont wanna go to the Stealership to fix this, any recommended shop around NYC?

(e90, 328xi sedan, 2007)

Chriztofor · 10-21-2012, 01:31 PM

Might be faulty IBS sensor that is located on one your batter cables (positive?). Do a search on here for it.

sebaNYC · 10-21-2012, 01:35 PM

but i dont have any IBS code or any alert on the dashboard

Chriztofor · 10-21-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebaNYC

but i dont have any IBS code or any alert on the dashboard

Dashboard gives very limited information.

Also, I am not sure if the IBS throws a code if it is faulty using a peake or BT scan tool. If you rely on the dashboard then you may not know how to DIY so take it to an indy shop for diagnosis and repair.

By the way, did you change your battery recently? If so, then that is how it broke. The IBS sensor is very fragile.

sebaNYC · 10-21-2012, 01:56 PM

i didnt replace the battery (yet)

i talked about the code because after you wrote that i was searching online and everytbody talk about having a code.

i want to a indy shop and they measure the battery while the car is off and when is on, and when the car was off, the "tool" says it was in 13 (idk the measure word) and took like 1 min to be in 15 (the optimal number)

So basically as soon you turn on the car, should go up to 15 and not taking a minute or so to get there, thats why the mechanic guy said that is the Alternator is having problems.

Chriztofor · 10-21-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebaNYC

i didnt replace the battery (yet)

i talked about the code because after you wrote that i was searching online and everytbody talk about having a code.

i want to a indy shop and they measure the battery while the car is off and when is on, and when the car was off, the "tool" says it was in 13 (idk the measure word) and took like 1 min to be in 15 (the optimal number)

So basically as soon you turn on the car, should go up to 15 and not taking a minute or so to get there, thats why the mechanic guy said that is the Alternator is having problems.

I would find an indy that specializes in BMW and other german cars. I never heard on this forum of an alternator failing. Though it is not impossible. There is an 80% chance your indy will change the alternator and then start throwing other parts at the car until they finally find the problem. A specialist will know the problem without trial and error.

sebaNYC · 10-21-2012, 02:02 PM

so maybe i should go to the dealer and see whats wrong and then decide what to do and where

Chriztofor · 10-21-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebaNYC

so maybe i should go to the dealer and see whats wrong and then decide what to do and where

Dealers are even worst! Find a shop that specializes in BMWs. Go to the regional forum on this site and ask around for a recommended indy shop.

Chriztofor · 10-21-2012, 02:10 PM

Look here http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=48 take a look at the stickies on the top of that page and go from there. Please post an update so if someone has a similar experience they will know (or not know) what to do. Thanks and good luck!

sebaNYC · 10-21-2012, 02:32 PM

thanks Chriztofor, ill do!!

John 070 · 10-21-2012, 04:40 PM

Seems like these problems plagued 335's back in 2007-2009, but lately it's been 328's?

LocDawgg · 10-23-2012, 09:32 PM

I have a 2006 325i, and i ve been experiencing it alot lately. I have a manual transmission, and it seems like everytime i slow down while in gear (with the clutch pressed down obviously) the car shuts off. Sometimes when i am in neutral it does the same.

sebaNYC · 10-24-2012, 08:59 AM

but ther entire car turn off? including the hazzard lights?

e90cha3 · 10-29-2012, 08:36 PM

sebanyc I had a similar issue. Car would have complete electrical shut off. There is a service bulletin out for it SIB610811. From my research it turns out there is a faulty connection between battery positive cable and the fuse box. What worked for me is to get both replaced. Check these threads below, they were very helpful. Hope this helps!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566291
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549735

JunkStory · 10-29-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90cha3

sebanyc I had a similar issue. Car would have complete electrical shut off. There is a service bulletin out for it SIB610811. From my research it turns out there is a faulty connection between battery positive cable and the fuse box. What worked for me is to get both replaced. Check these threads below, they were very helpful. Hope this helps!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566291
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549735

Very helpful for future reference. Thank you!

Good luck to OP.

sebaNYC · 10-29-2012, 10:11 PM

thanks e90cha3

g4LLiT0 · 11-04-2012, 04:41 PM

I had the same problem, was driving when i saw the red battery light. after that the radio started to turn on and off till it stayed off. then all of the dashboard lights came on....after that all my lights turned off...hazzards headlights fogs etc speedometer stopped working. pulled on the side of the road. called help. they came with a new battery....changed it (was a bleeping nightmare to change). it started like it would normal. drove to my house which was 10min away and the red battery light came back on. is this the alternator?

John 070 · 11-04-2012, 05:54 PM

This happened to me back in 2010....but I have a 335. Dealer could find nothing, until the car wouldn't even run anymore (after about 6X stalling either on the expressway or in rush hour traffic). They had to replace the DME. The first time they simply replaced the IBS sensor since they had no idea what was going on. No codes, etc.

10-21-2012, 01:27 PM	#1
sebaNYC Lieutenant 50 Rep 527 Posts Drives: BMW 435i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	my car died, while i was driving!!!! friday night i went out, i was tired so i went home early, while i was driving, i notice my lights went off and half second after, the entire car is off!!! and i was still driving, luckily i was close to a red light and i was slow. the entire car was dead, not even the blinkers (flashlights, or hazard lights, i dont really know how they call them) finally the car stop, i tried to turn on the car, bad idea, i put the transmission in Parking, and of course the car got lock, i wasnt available to put on Neutral to can push the car to the side, i was in the middle of the street. i call my insurance, so they can send me a tow truck. ETA 1 hour of waiting. i got off the car, because that night was really foggy and the car was in the middle of the street, while i was waiting the tow truck (more than 1:20 hrs) i started to be cold, so i went to the car to pick up my sweater, when i open the door, i heard the "gong" and i was like "WTF!!". i Tried to turn on the car, and tada!!! the car turned On like nothing happen before!!!!!! i ended up getting home like 5am The last month i noticed that randomly when i turn on the car, i have to set up the clock, like when you disconnect the battery. After that scary episode, i thought could be that the battery is dying, but, if it was the battery the problem, it couldnt turn on again after an hour or so, without giving a jump of anything. so i checked and it looks like is the Alternator, anyone had this problem? can really be the alternator? or something else? i dont wanna go to the Stealership to fix this, any recommended shop around NYC? (e90, 328xi sedan, 2007)
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10-21-2012, 01:31 PM	#2
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Might be faulty IBS sensor that is located on one your batter cables (positive?). Do a search on here for it. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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10-21-2012, 01:35 PM	#3
sebaNYC Lieutenant 50 Rep 527 Posts Drives: BMW 435i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	but i dont have any IBS code or any alert on the dashboard
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10-21-2012, 01:56 PM	#5
sebaNYC Lieutenant 50 Rep 527 Posts Drives: BMW 435i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	i didnt replace the battery (yet) i talked about the code because after you wrote that i was searching online and everytbody talk about having a code. i want to a indy shop and they measure the battery while the car is off and when is on, and when the car was off, the "tool" says it was in 13 (idk the measure word) and took like 1 min to be in 15 (the optimal number) So basically as soon you turn on the car, should go up to 15 and not taking a minute or so to get there, thats why the mechanic guy said that is the Alternator is having problems.
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10-21-2012, 02:02 PM	#7
sebaNYC Lieutenant 50 Rep 527 Posts Drives: BMW 435i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	so maybe i should go to the dealer and see whats wrong and then decide what to do and where
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10-21-2012, 02:10 PM	#9
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Look here http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=48 take a look at the stickies on the top of that page and go from there. Please post an update so if someone has a similar experience they will know (or not know) what to do. Thanks and good luck! __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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10-21-2012, 02:32 PM	#10
sebaNYC Lieutenant 50 Rep 527 Posts Drives: BMW 435i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	thanks Chriztofor, ill do!!
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10-21-2012, 04:40 PM	#11
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Seems like these problems plagued 335's back in 2007-2009, but lately it's been 328's?
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10-23-2012, 09:32 PM	#12
LocDawgg Captain 68 Rep 961 Posts Drives: AW e90 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida iTrader: (5)	I have a 2006 325i, and i ve been experiencing it alot lately. I have a manual transmission, and it seems like everytime i slow down while in gear (with the clutch pressed down obviously) the car shuts off. Sometimes when i am in neutral it does the same.
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10-24-2012, 08:59 AM	#13
sebaNYC Lieutenant 50 Rep 527 Posts Drives: BMW 435i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	but ther entire car turn off? including the hazzard lights?
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10-29-2012, 08:36 PM	#14
e90cha3 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 07 328xi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Bmw Si B61 08 11 sebanyc I had a similar issue. Car would have complete electrical shut off. There is a service bulletin out for it SIB610811. From my research it turns out there is a faulty connection between battery positive cable and the fuse box. What worked for me is to get both replaced. Check these threads below, they were very helpful. Hope this helps! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566291 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549735
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10-29-2012, 10:11 PM	#16
sebaNYC Lieutenant 50 Rep 527 Posts Drives: BMW 435i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (2)	thanks e90cha3
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11-04-2012, 04:41 PM	#17
g4LLiT0 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: Sexy! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Aruba iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem, was driving when i saw the red battery light. after that the radio started to turn on and off till it stayed off. then all of the dashboard lights came on....after that all my lights turned off...hazzards headlights fogs etc speedometer stopped working. pulled on the side of the road. called help. they came with a new battery....changed it (was a bleeping nightmare to change). it started like it would normal. drove to my house which was 10min away and the red battery light came back on. is this the alternator?
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11-04-2012, 05:54 PM	#18
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	This happened to me back in 2010....but I have a 335. Dealer could find nothing, until the car wouldn't even run anymore (after about 6X stalling either on the expressway or in rush hour traffic). They had to replace the DME. The first time they simply replaced the IBS sensor since they had no idea what was going on. No codes, etc.
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