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Won't start plus other wierdness

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    Won't start plus other wierdness

    So I stopped my car the other day to take a picture or two because it made it to the moon (238900 miles, center to center distance). When I got back in to drive the ~1/4 mile back to my place, the car wouldn't start. I'm somewhat flummoxed by the problem and the symptoms make no sense:

    1. The engine doesn't turn over at all, starter selenoid sounds like it is tripping when you switch the key to the ignition setting. Starter was replaced less than two years ago (Bosch replacement).

    2. Battery has 12V.

    3. Windows will no longer roll down. I rolled them up before stopping the car.

    4. I checked all the fuses and replaced the one for the windows.

    5. The light on the AC switch is lit, even when not depressed.

    6. The motor oil warning light in the check panel (not the one in the dash/gauge cluster) is lit.

    7. A cable that normally should run from a nut near the oil level sensor (but not the one that goes back to the cabin) is broken. The break is at the tab that is bolted to the engine. The cable looks like it runs to the frame beneath the air filter box. I couldn't find anything about the cable in the Bentley, but the cable is in Figure 7-5, section 4, page 61 of the Bentley manual. An arrow pointing to something else partially overlaps the cable in the image. (The engine is an m20b27)

    All of this started after I tried to turn on the car. I am not sure if the symptoms are red herrings or not. I would appreciate any suggestions.
    sigpic

    #2
    From what you are describing, your engine ground cable is kaput. go to your local auto parts store and grab a comparable length ground cable and replace that thing.
    Old and improved:

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      #3
      A bad primary power connection is a credible cause, but just as likely would be a dead battery. Saying that the battery is at 12v is meaningless. It's the tenths of a volt above 12v that matters, e.g.;

      %chg Voltage
      100 12.7
      75 12.4
      50 12.2
      25 12.0

      Starting the car at anything below 50% charge is an iffy thing.
      The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
      Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by jlevie View Post
        A bad primary power connection is a credible cause, but just as likely would be a dead battery. Saying that the battery is at 12v is meaningless. It's the tenths of a volt above 12v that matters, e.g.;

        %chg Voltage
        100 12.7
        75 12.4
        50 12.2
        25 12.0

        Starting the car at anything below 50% charge is an iffy thing.

        Good info to have. My car is not starting but it is trying to turn over. Battery reads 12.45 volts
        Continuous For Sale Thread
        323i s50

        Comment


          #5
          Made a new ground cable. Car started right up. Life is good again. Thanks for the suggestions!
          sigpic

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