E36 M3 airbag deployed, car will not start

[Cr0tchF4i]

Hey guys,

I'm new to bwm's so please bear with me. I have tried to research this topic and have come across a few answers, but not exactly what I am looking for. I picked up a 98 M3 Coupe from my buddy after it was in an accident. The drivers side front was hit and deployed the passenger door card airbag. (that's the only one that deployed) I know there are several airbag issues so no problem there. My question is that now the car will not start. I know on E46 and up there is a charge that disconnects the positive cable from the battery; I am not sure if E36's are equipped with this feature?
I still have power to the lights, gauges etc.. I can hear the fuel pump prime but the engine will not turn over. It is an optima battery and seems to have held a charge. Is there any type of reset I can try that I am over looking? I disconnected the battery for a while and no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Stück]

E36's do not have the explosive positive battery terminals.

The car shouldn't give a flying rats ass if all the airbags went off, it should still crank and start.

How long was the car sitting before you got it?

[Cr0tchF4i]

Thanks stuck. Sat for about a month. Would there be any sensors up front that would prevent it from starting?

[stanley]

Ok, where did the car get hit. Front or back and how bad. If it got hit in front and hard enough, could have broke the motor mount arm, which has a engine ground. No ground no crank. It is on the left side.

[Cr0tchF4i]

Ok, where did the car get hit. Front or back and how bad. If it got hit in front and hard enough, could have broke the motor mount arm, which has a engine ground. No ground no crank. It is on the left side.

It was hit on the drivers front. Mainly on the corner, cracked the bumper but mangled the fender and bent the control arm. Wheel well it torn out, but doesn't look like it damaged the tie rod or anything. I will try and take a look and see about the ground, thank you for the info.

[billyfiction]

HAve you checked the fuses and relays? Maybe the starter motor died? IF it is stick try bump starting it?

[Cr0tchF4i]

I checked the fuses and none were blown. The starter was going out prior to the accident, but I wouldn't think this would effect it.

I will try bumping it once I put the new control arm on, should be in early next week.

[Stück]

Well if the starter was going out, and now it doesn't crank, that sure seems like the most likely place to start.

[tomasmz3coupe]

Its the battery safety switch on the + side of the battery

[Cr0tchF4i]

^ I thought e36's do not have that switch? All of the lights and other electronics work. Fuel pump primes as well.

[TriniSpeC]

Whats the voltage on the battery?

[Cr0tchF4i]

I haven't check that yet. The tow truck dropped it off in an odd spot next to my house. I will see if I can try jumping it. It's not making the clicking of a dead battery. It's just not attempting to crank at all, like there is nothing there.

[Critter7r]

If it sat for a month, definitely check and chzarge the battery first.

[90turbo1]

if the fuel pump is running then its not related to the accident. when the BST on newer cars blow its designed to kill the pump and motor to prevent fires. there is a crash signal that the air bag module generates (usually requires repacement of air bag module) that can prevent the car from starting but I am not sure if it kills the fuel on that car.

do hazzards come on when key is put into run?

also just yesterday I had a battery problem in my 2001 325ci. drove to gas station bought a coco and came out, lights came on, radio, but starter did absolutly nothing.... not even a click. put a jump starter pack on car and fired right up.

worth a shot to stick a pair of jumper cables on it and see if it starts. also check faults on car.

[Cr0tchF4i]

now that is some good Recon. no the hazards do not come on. i will charge it tomorrow and let you know.

[Brashland]

If it sat for a month, definitely check and chzarge the battery first.

Yep, the battery is a good first check. I've had some strange happenings that a fresh battery fixed.

[Cr0tchF4i]

New battery and she still wouldn't start. Oddly enough I think the wheel pushed into the floor board so the clutch sensor isn't getting flipped. Going to try and pound it out tomorrow.

[Junaid]

Check all grounds

[Cr0tchF4i]

Its an e36. They do not have that

[Junaid]

Its an e36. They do not have that

My mistake

Sent from my SGH-I727R using BF.com

[Cr0tchF4i]

Bam. Bent the floor board out and she started right up.

[MPowerDan]

Bam. Bent the floor board out and she started right up.

Booyah!!

[andy78]

Bam. Bent the floor board out and she started right up.

Hi can you explain or eaven better upload a picture on the floorboard you bent out?

[Cr0tchF4i]

I will take a picture in a bit. Basically the car was hit on the drivers front. Wheel was turned during impact and broke the ball joint off the control arm. Wheel was pushed back into the floor board and bent it up so the clutch switch wasn't activating to start the car. Couldn't push it in enough.