Another car wont start problem :(

alien07 · 07-24-2016, 06:27 AM

Hi Guys,

I've tried searching the forum but can't seem to find this specific issue.

Have a 2006 e92 323i, last drove it long distance (400km) in Feb 2016. Have always taken short trips (15km) like once a week or once a fortnight.

Yesterday, after making a few stops for groceries, car wouldn't start.

Put in the keyfob, normal diagnostic lights turn on, when i press the brake pedal and press the start button. There is a 'click' sound, the dash lights fade out, interior light flickers and fades out. Kebfob stuck in the dash.

Tried tapping the starter, no difference. Kind fellow help jumped me from the bonnet points, can started up. Drove around for 30mins.

Turn car off. Same problem. Can't start. Used a portable jump batt. Car starts.

Turn car off. Can't start. Used the same portable jump batt, first time cannot start, second time. Car Starts.

Bought a car charger (4amp) to charge the battery cos I guess long time it hasn't been driven for long, so maybe batt is dead/depleted. After the charger signal that the batt is full (About 5/6hrs of charging), tried to start by itself, cannot, same flickering light and fading symptoms. No fault codes. Batt is 12.5v.

Any ideas? Batt was last changed in Jan 2013. BMW batt. When i peeped into the indication hole on the batt, looks green to me.

Thanks in advance for all your advice and help.

weehe126 · 07-24-2016, 11:29 AM

Just get a new battery, 3 years of short trips will kill it and you can't recharge it.

335NJ · 07-24-2016, 11:41 AM

Was the new battery registered to the car? If it was done at BMW then it was, but not all shops know about it.

alien07 · 07-24-2016, 04:20 PM

Thanks guys, hope its the battery too. Going to replace it first. Will update if that is the main cause. Thanks.

kkasson · 07-24-2016, 04:46 PM

Almost certainly the battery. Even if the voltage is high enough, it might not have enough cranking amps to turn the engine over. You could take it to a parts store to have it tested if you want to be sure. What kind of battery is it? I had a nearly dead Interstate battery for another vehicle that I took to Interstate and left with them for a few days, and they were able to revive it.

If you get a new one, be sure it's the correct battery and be sure to register it.

alien07 · 07-25-2016, 05:07 AM

Thanks Guys! Your diagnostic is spot on!

Replaced the batt and its running fine!

Thanks all!

07-24-2016, 06:27 AM	#1
alien07 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 33 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: QLD iTrader: (0)	Another car wont start problem :( Hi Guys, I've tried searching the forum but can't seem to find this specific issue. Have a 2006 e92 323i, last drove it long distance (400km) in Feb 2016. Have always taken short trips (15km) like once a week or once a fortnight. Yesterday, after making a few stops for groceries, car wouldn't start. Put in the keyfob, normal diagnostic lights turn on, when i press the brake pedal and press the start button. There is a 'click' sound, the dash lights fade out, interior light flickers and fades out. Kebfob stuck in the dash. Tried tapping the starter, no difference. Kind fellow help jumped me from the bonnet points, can started up. Drove around for 30mins. Turn car off. Same problem. Can't start. Used a portable jump batt. Car starts. Turn car off. Can't start. Used the same portable jump batt, first time cannot start, second time. Car Starts. Bought a car charger (4amp) to charge the battery cos I guess long time it hasn't been driven for long, so maybe batt is dead/depleted. After the charger signal that the batt is full (About 5/6hrs of charging), tried to start by itself, cannot, same flickering light and fading symptoms. No fault codes. Batt is 12.5v. Any ideas? Batt was last changed in Jan 2013. BMW batt. When i peeped into the indication hole on the batt, looks green to me. Thanks in advance for all your advice and help.
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07-24-2016, 11:29 AM	#2
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,190 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Just get a new battery, 3 years of short trips will kill it and you can't recharge it.
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07-24-2016, 11:41 AM	#3
335NJ Colonel 533 Rep 2,872 Posts Drives: 2008 335i 6MT E90 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: NJ/Philadelphia Suburbs iTrader: (1)	Was the new battery registered to the car? If it was done at BMW then it was, but not all shops know about it.
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07-24-2016, 04:20 PM	#4
alien07 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 33 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: QLD iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, hope its the battery too. Going to replace it first. Will update if that is the main cause. Thanks.
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07-24-2016, 04:46 PM	#5
kkasson Lieutenant 187 Rep 589 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 328i, 08 BMW 528i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Almost certainly the battery. Even if the voltage is high enough, it might not have enough cranking amps to turn the engine over. You could take it to a parts store to have it tested if you want to be sure. What kind of battery is it? I had a nearly dead Interstate battery for another vehicle that I took to Interstate and left with them for a few days, and they were able to revive it. If you get a new one, be sure it's the correct battery and be sure to register it.
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07-25-2016, 05:07 AM	#6
alien07 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 33 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: QLD iTrader: (0)	Thanks Guys! Your diagnostic is spot on! Replaced the batt and its running fine! Thanks all!
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