Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Car won't start... plees halp

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Car won't start... plees halp

    I'm having issues getting my car to start. It has been sitting in the garage the whole winter, but it would start up with no issues about 1-2 months ago. Yesterday when I went to start it up, it kind of took a second, but I just put that down to it being cold and not starting for a while. As I started it more often, it took longer each time, making the "rurr - rurr - rurr" before it would start, eventually getting to the point where the "rurr-ing" was getting slower and slower, and I could actually hear the starter struggling to turn, until nothing. Once there is nothing, with the key turned all the way to start, I can hear sort of a rythmic clicking/crackling coming from under the car, in front of the rear driver's side wheel.

    I jumped the battery yesterday and let it run for a good few mintues to build a charge in the battery, and it started fine shortly after that, but as it got later in the day, it took longer to start each time, again with the "rurr - rurr - rurr" and eventually nothing. I gave it another try today, with the same result.

    I know the battery is good, and the alternator is brand new. As I said before, when I started the car up last time, about 1-2 months ago, it started right up like it would any other day. This problem has just begun yesterday. The only things that we have done electrically are to swap the front turn signal wiring harnesses over to the late-model ones, plug the headlights back in, and splice & repair one of the sidemarker wires at the rear that got damaged.

    I've listed all the symptoms and any work electrically that's been done since it was last started. My only guess is that something is draining power from somewhere and killing the battery? I know jack about car electrical, so if someone could help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it!

    #2
    Get a digital volt meter that can measure amps as well. Then using that, remove the ground cable on the battery. Place the red lead on the battery negative post, and the black lead on a good ground. That will tell you how many amps are being drawn with the car off. Should be next to nothing. If you can, tape the leads on and then hold the meter outside the car and shut the trunk lid so that light isnt drawing any power.

    Will
    RIP e30 (brilliantrot '91 325i) 11/17/06 Byebye: 8/21/07
    Welcome e30 (brilliantrot '90 325is) 12/23/06
    DaveCN = Old Man
    My signature picture was taken by ME! Not by anyone else!



    Originally posted by george graves
    If people keep quoting me in their sig, I'm going to burn this motherfucker down.

    Comment


      #3
      How do you know the battery is good?

      Take it from a guy who has let a small drain kill a few batteries when cars sat idle - your battery may be toast.

      Take it to AutoZone/Advance/Kragen or whatever you guys have, and have them throw in on the tester.
      Current Cars
      2014 M235i
      2009 R56 Cooper S
      1998 M3
      1997 M3

      Comment


        #4
        Give it a good charge with a battery charger. Running at idle will not charge it enough by itself.
        BimmerHeads
        Classic BMW Specialists
        Santa Clarita, CA

        www.BimmerHeads.com

        Comment


          #5
          I'll do that tomorrow. I'll take it down to AutoZone, we just got one. :D

          Originally posted by DaveCN
          How do you know the battery is good?

          Take it from a guy who has let a small drain kill a few batteries when cars sat idle - your battery may be toast.
          That's what I don't get. It's an Optima, also. Not that that really means anything, but it's just strange that it started perfectly just not too long ago.

          Comment


            #6
            This seems like a battery problem to me also. The battery could have a shorted cell internally. Give the car a good charge with the charger. Can you set the charger to give a slow charge, maybe 2-5 amps? Let that charge for a few hours and then see how it is.
            Originally posted by cabriodster87
            "Honey? What color is this wire? Is it the same as that one? Are you sure? I don't believe it. OK, it works. Thank you sweetie."
            Originally posted by Kershaw
            i've got a boner and a desire to speed.

            Comment


              #7
              My father in law has a battery charger, I'll stick on the charger tonight and give it take a whack at it tomorrow.

              Comment


                #8
                Battery is on the charger, we'll see what happens tomorrow.

                Comment


                  #9
                  I'm just chiming in to agree that running a car on idle does NOT charge the battery. Useful point to remember.
                  This is your M20 on steroids:

                  Comment


                    #10
                    once you charge the car, get it out for a good 20-30 minute drive. that usually helps charge it better. as others said idle does nothing for it.
                    Continuous For Sale Thread
                    323i s50

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Most definitely a battery :) Once you get the battery back from the trickle charge, it should be fine
                      Recent Rebranding!!
                      Visit Garageaholic for all of your E30 Swap Needs!
                      E30 SM62/S62
                      E30 M60 V8
                      E30 M30 Big 6!




                      Check out this E36 N54 Swap Build
                      Instagram.com/garageaholic
                      Youtube.com/garageaholic

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Thanks, y'all. I wasn't aware of the "not charging at idle" factor.

                        Thees ees why I like you peeples.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Hey Josh, did it work?
                          Originally posted by cabriodster87
                          "Honey? What color is this wire? Is it the same as that one? Are you sure? I don't believe it. OK, it works. Thank you sweetie."
                          Originally posted by Kershaw
                          i've got a boner and a desire to speed.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Mike325 View Post
                            Hey Josh, did it work?
                            Yep, it was definitely the battery. Sat all night and most of today on the charger, and she started right up, no more issues.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Mr. Anderson View Post
                              Yep, it was definitely the battery. Sat all night and most of today on the charger, and she started right up, no more issues.
                              Good to hear
                              Originally posted by cabriodster87
                              "Honey? What color is this wire? Is it the same as that one? Are you sure? I don't believe it. OK, it works. Thank you sweetie."
                              Originally posted by Kershaw
                              i've got a boner and a desire to speed.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X