[Shadow007]

What's going on everybody?
I have a problem, which I hope some on can help. My car will not start. When I put the key into the ignition everything turns on radio, lights, etc., but when I try to start the car, it will not turn over but instead I hear a click sound. I went to the service menu and I see an "!", which says ignition on with no other description. Also in the service menu I have a service engine soon mark for brake fluid, which isn't due until next month (Nov.) That couldn't be the reason it wouldn't start, could it? Because I possibly ran out of break fluid. I didn't check because owas in such a panic at the time so I had to leave the car at work and I will end up calling ADAC tomorrow so they can tow it to the dealership. Also, could it possibly not work because of the down pipes I had installed last Friday? I'm just thinking of what has happened in the last couple of days. I'm praying that's its not a hpfp failure or anything like that because if that's the case then I'm pretty muched screwed.

[haskindm]

Your battery is dead. You will need to jump start the car or recharge the battery. Then you need to figure out why it is dead. Has nothing to do with Brake Fluid. May have to do with down-pipe installation if the shop messed something up.

[gpb]

Originally Posted by Shadow007

everything turns on radio, lights, etc., but when I try to start the car, it will not turn over but instead I hear a click sound.

Originally Posted by haskindm

Your battery is dead. You will need to jump start the car or recharge the battery.

Respectfully, this sounds more like a starter or solenoid than battery. Battery dead would tend to give a series of clicks with the dimming of lights and dash/radio cutting out when you try to start it. Starter issue tends to give full lights and accessories and a single (or no) click when you try to start it.

With that said, this is extrapolating from experience with non-BMW's and it's possible that BMW's behave completely differently than Toyotas and Fords and Chryslers.

Simple way to tell the difference is either put a voltmeter on the battery and watch the voltage when you try to start it. Big drop down below 11V and it's a failed battery. Little to no voltage drop and it's likely the starter. Other way is try to jump start it -- if no luck then it's likely the starter.

[r3dbimmer89]

Definitely sounds like the battery is dead if its not turning over and its making a clicking noise...

[Shadow007]

I had the car jumped started last night and it worked. But this morning when I tried to start it again, the samething happened again. I tried to jump start it this morning but that didn't work either.

[apme123]

get a mew battery

[Shadow007]

I just had the battery replaced and its still the same problem... Naybe it is the starter...

[90rr]

Starter... I had the exact same problem

[gpb]

Originally Posted by Shadow007

I just had the battery replaced and its still the same problem... Naybe it is the starter...

Let us know how it turns out. Sounds like the starter.

Did anyone load-test the old battery or check the battery / charging system voltages? A $22 Radio Shack multimeter would be very helpful in knowing the battery status, whether the alternator is working, and what's happening when you try to start the car. It can save buying a battery when the starter or alternator is the problem.

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by Shadow007

I just had the battery replaced and its still the same problem... Naybe it is the starter...

I'm waiting to hear what it was! Did you get your winter tires mounted? Don't worry about the weather it's not going to snow!

[Shadow007]

I had the car towed to the dealership. They're suppose to give me a call once they figure it out. One of the associates did say it was possibly the starter and quoted me a price for about 550 euros for the part . I damn near fainted when he told me that lol.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Shadow007

I had the car towed to the dealership. They're suppose to give me a call once they figure it out. One of the associates did say it was possibly the starter and quoted me a price for about 550 euros for the part . I damn near fainted when he told me that lol.

Youre out of warranty?

[Sered]

Yeah don't go to the stealership if you're OOW

[Shadow007]

Yea Im out of warranty for Germany, if I was back in the states then everything would be alright, but since Im stationed over here Im pretty much screwed. German manufactures gives a two year warranty on all of their cars, regardless of the make and model, unlike the states where you can get a 4-5 year warranty. So Im pretty much waiting for them to give me a call at this point to give me the final verdict.

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by Shadow007

I had the car towed to the dealership. They're suppose to give me a call once they figure it out. One of the associates did say it was possibly the starter and quoted me a price for about 550 euros for the part . I damn near fainted when he told me that lol.

Yep, When I received my BMW here in Germany they told me every time you go to the shop it will cost 100 euros just to pull it in the shop. 550 euros = $733.70 @ today's rate, ouch! You could take it to some other shop, like a general maintenance shop it will be a little less! If it needs to be towed to a new place the savings will be gone!

[Shadow007]

Well it was the starter after all... the associate said it will cost 500 euros for parts and labor. The only savings Im going to get from this is by using my VAT form, which keeps me from paying Germany's crazy ass 19% tax Hell I would have been better of crashing that b and paying the insurance deductable. Atleast I would have gotten a few new parts...EffinA..

[Speedwagon]

VAT Forms

[Yodaime]

I had the same problem. its battery, buy it somewhere and go get it coded or bite the dust and buy it from dealer and get it coded from dealer. goodluck bud.

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by Yodaime

I had the same problem. its battery, buy it somewhere and go get it coded or bite the dust and buy it from dealer and get it coded from dealer. goodluck bud.

No, the OP said it was the starter this time!

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Speedwagon

No, the OP said it was the starter this time!

Be nice

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Shadow007

Yea Im out of warranty for Germany, if I was back in the states then everything would be alright, but since Im stationed over here Im pretty much screwed. German manufactures gives a two year warranty on all of their cars, regardless of the make and model, unlike the states where you can get a 4-5 year warranty. So Im pretty much waiting for them to give me a call at this point to give me the final verdict.

2 years?? Damn OP Im sorry.

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by Sara504

Be nice

I'm always nice, just trying to keep the thread going in the right direction!