[Pure_310]

I live in arkansas, and we got hit with snow about three days ago, the first all year, and my first time driving in snow. So on my way to work my car slides into a ditch, no outer damage done, I received help on getting it out, and I noticed I was extremely low on gas so I drive down the street, turn off the car and pump gas. I go to turn it on and I notice the brake pedal is hardert han usual, I press it but it hardly moves and I press the on button after inserting the key, and it wont turn on. I had to get it towed home and its still not running.
Ive been reading and ive heard a lot about the brake valve and how it releases pressure once the car is on but it wont start!
Could it be that one of the brake valves froze from being in the ditch and just full of snow? It turned on fine once I was out the ditch. And I do hear a noise that soumds like it comes from under the passenger seat whenever I try to start it.

[Eddien123]

When you drove it to the station did it stop without issue?

[Pure_310]

I did notice it turned off a bit faster than usual, if that makes sense. It kinda felt like it died on me, but my radio and door locks and overhead lights all work. I didnt think much of it I just wanted to get going cause my feet were wet and frozen.

[Pure_310]

The brakes worked fine

[Taran.J]

Weird. Sorry I'm no help

[Ark10bimmer]

Your positive cable blew from the impact with the ditch. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688320 check this out.


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=673135 this one explains if more. Disregard the airbags being blown. Even a little bump in the bumper can cause the sensor to explode.

[Pure_310]

Thanks it sounds about right. But its weird how it still started multiple times when I was still in the ditch, I would turn it on and off for the heater whenever I got cold, and I turned it on to drive to a station, but could it still be the positive cable? And do you have any websites or somewhere I can get it besides the dealer

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by Romanianbimmer

Your positive cable blew from the impact with the ditch. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688320 check this out.


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=673135 this one explains if more. Disregard the airbags being blown. Even a little bump in the bumper can cause the sensor to explode.

If this was the case then the car wouldn't have started after it was taken from out of the ditch.

I suspect the starter failing here. OP do you hear any form of "tick" or "click" coming from the engine when you hit the start button?

[Pure_310]

Ye
ah its like a weird click , it sounds like its from either the passenger side or right by the e brake its hard to make out where exactly it comes from

[DRock3d]

Originally Posted by Pure_310

Ye
ah its like a weird click , it sounds like its from either the passenger side or right by the e brake its hard to make out where exactly it comes from

First off, learn to snow.

Second the click by the ebrake is just the brake switch unlocking your shifter.

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by DRock3d

First off, learn to snow.

Second the click by the ebrake is just the brake switch unlocking your shifter.

Learn to snow?? Wut?? Lol

[Ark10bimmer]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

If this was the case then the car wouldn't have started after it was taken from out of the ditch.

I suspect the starter failing here. OP do you hear any form of "tick" or "click" coming from the engine when you hit the start button?

It depends how the cable and battery moved. The angle of the car. Trust me I had mine blown and I would drive it and then when the battery would move the positive cable would touch it only a little to make a little contact. Trust me I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. Your starter is fine. It depends on the angle of your car. You can take the red plastic off the positve cable and force the sensor back together. Don't listen to these guys all they know is to tell you to take it to the dealer I have done all my work myself. And my car was smashed. Right now I'm in the process of chaginf my timing chain guide on my n54. Aka 335

[DRock3d]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

Learn to snow?? Wut?? Lol

First time it snows and he wrecks like a rookie, is snow driving that hard for southerners?

[Ark10bimmer]

Originally Posted by DRock3d

First time it snows and he wrecks like a rookie, is snow driving that hard for southerners?

Not really. It's just the roads here don't really get treated. Only the bridges. But there are exceptions everywhere of people who can't drive.

[Pure_310]

Originally Posted by DRock3d

First time it snows and he wrecks like a rookie, is snow driving that hard for southerners?

First, I didnt wreck. I slid and hit a ditch my car is fine no dents or scratches.
Secondly, im not from the south, born and raised in southern california, like I said first time driving on ice, how can I learn without mistakes right?
I asked for help, not for attitudes or insults, if you cant help then keep moving.
I appreciate all opinions and outlooks on my situation, the more I can narrow it down the better,
But im not here to trash talk nor to take it.

If you believe you have valuable input then by all means go ahead, learn to snow isnt quite explicit enough, examples would greatly be appreciated.

[Pure_310]

Originally Posted by Romanianbimmer

It depends how the cable and battery moved. The angle of the car. Trust me I had mine blown and I would drive it and then when the battery would move the positive cable would touch it only a little to make a little contact. Trust me I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. Your starter is fine. It depends on the angle of your car. You can take the red plastic off the positve cable and force the sensor back together. Don't listen to these guys all they know is to tell you to take it to the dealer I have done all my work myself. And my car was smashed. Right now I'm in the process of chaginf my timing chain guide on my n54. Aka 335

I'll try this and see if it works, seems a whole lot cheaper than buying a starter, if my car wont start after then at least ill be able to rule this out. Thanks for the help

[wilbur_the_goose]

Give the OP a break. I grew up in Buffalo and learned to drive there. But we had snow Sunday here in Philly that was crazy slick and untreated. I did about a 100' "controlled" slide in my E92 and I really know how to drive in snow.

Thank god for ABS!

[Ark10bimmer]

I good way to see it the cable is out is put a jumper box or a car on the post in the front. And of it starts then it's the cable. Worked for me.

[CruzS4e92]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Give the OP a break. I grew up in Buffalo and learned to drive there. But we had snow Sunday here in Philly that was crazy slick and untreated. I did about a 100' "controlled" slide in my E92 and I really know how to drive in snow.

Thank god for ABS!

saturday was insane. my e92 remained parked but it was so slick my gf's passat was having a lot of trouble. made it to work today this morning no trouble and the turnpike was a mess. sorry to hear of your woes OP, hope its a quick fix

[miringrains]

Originally Posted by CruzS4e92

saturday was insane. my e92 remained parked but it was so slick my gf's passat was having a lot of trouble. made it to work today this morning no trouble and the turnpike was a mess. sorry to hear of your woes OP, hope its a quick fix

Yeah my 335xi is def a lot harder to drive on snow than my s4

[Pure_310]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

If this was the case then the car wouldn't have started after it was taken from out of the ditch.

I suspect the starter failing here. OP do you hear any form of "tick" or "click" coming from the engine when you hit the start button?

Ive been trying to do work on it but nothing yet. I do notice a click coming from the engine it sounds right about where the starter is. Anyway I can check to make sure before I go spending 200 bucks and hours of labor.

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by Pure_310

Ive been trying to do work on it but nothing yet. I do notice a click coming from the engine it sounds right about where the starter is. Anyway I can check to make sure before I go spending 200 bucks and hours of labor.

Well since you hear some clicks it's best to ask if you actually hear the engine turn over? Check your battery as well. Should be above 13v to be normal.

Testing the starter involves hitting with a piece of iron. Won't fix it but if it now turns the engine over you can surely say it is a faulty starter. Now the engine may not turn over at all if the starter is completely fried. This happened to me.