Doesn't start /turn / some warning lights got dimmer

[warhammer23]

My car worked perfectly a month ago.
E34 with M50 manual.
Bad wheater, didn't start it since.
Took the battery out , car's in a garage etc

Today, tried to start it, all the lights came up, but no turn - only the sounds of releys.

No turn what so ever from the crank -not even like a sign from the battery being depletead, when it turns like for 1-2 seconds and then stops, no not even this. -the battery had 12,5v.

Checked all the reyes and fuses they all looked fine.
Some got warm, open the lights everything works electrically.
Checked the negative wire with a multimeter it goes current throw it all the way to the engine mounts.

Put the battery on a tender for a few hours to be sure.
Tried again, the same, nothing.
But this time the lights for the oil pressure and battery got very dim like 10 % vs the rest like hand break etc. Why ? Did i screw up with the releys ?


So maybe it's the starter motor?
If i took it out can i check it my self if it works or i need to send it to someone who rebuilds them?


I put the battery (Varta with 73 Amps and 680 CCA, 3 years old got it new always took care of it never let it go empty) again on the tender until tommorow (CTEK MX5 with more functions than the Terminator)

Any suggestions are of great help.:help

Thank you.

[BMW IDFR]

look, if the lights got dimmer its a power delivery issue.
The chain of 'power' goes like this from the last part you moved or touched:
1 checking the battery terminals and cleaning them with some steel wool that goes for the leads on the battery as well!
2 check the wire connections on the terminal connectors do the wires look healthy?
3 Do you hear a click when you turn the key to 'start' position (sound from the engine bay)
4 If you have a multimeter you can hook a pos lead on the starter solenoid to see what happens post relay click
5 Borrow or buy a known good battery if the trouble persists & remember: it worked fine a month ago
6 Try to push start to heat up the car and try to start again, she probably froze out there

[warhammer23]

Thanks for the response.

1 - i've done it
2 - yes they are, even those at the starter
3 - yes
4 - i put it and had some current 0.xx something
5 - i will do this
6 - also wondering this.

But I have more information:

Today, i put the battery back on.
Left it on the charger for like 20 hours. It indicated that it was 100 %

Turn the key on, the lights in the dash i was talking about got back !
And then ..i started the car. ! Huraa !
It started perfectly as usual.

Left it to run for 10 mins , got back in the house to change clothes etc and take it for a drive.

I came back i heared that the engine sounded kinda funny ..a aawawawaa sound.
Looked in the dash , the water temperature needle was over the red marker ! Wtf?
Stoped it immediatly, checked the engine , it wasn't even warm, no smoke etc so i don't think it overheated in 10 mins at idle and it was kinda cold outside.

Turned the key on the ON position, the water needle came back at the cold position but the 2 lights again (battery and oil) got dimmer again. Wtf 2?
Tried to started, no start.
Like yesterday.
Bummer.

And after plus the above, all this if the battery is damaged ?
And the wierd sound, maybe the alternator couldn't charge the battery?


I will try with a good battery from someone see if it changes something.

Thanks again.

[zubbie]

I would have the battery load tested to confirm it is in good condition.

Start the car and meter the alternator. Should be 14.25 - 14.75 volts. If not then alternator is dead

[warhammer23]

Yearh that was my second test, i will do that after i get another battery because now i can't start it again.
Usually when the alternator fails it shows the battery light in the dash.

I will come back with more info.

-----------------------
More info.

Took a friend's battery - the same size & power as mine.
With his battery still no start :(
Took my battery on his car, his car started with no problem.

So my battery is good.

He said that it is the starter motor and he can get to it (he has a lift ) without taking out other stuff like the manifold etc.


---------------------------

It apears that my car is Wolverine, it can fix itself :)

We pushed it to start it and then drove to a service.
Stopped it.
After 5 mins let's have a go.
It worked perfectly. :D

So it seams it was frozen ..wtf?

Now i drove like 30 miles.
Pulled over a few times.
Stopped her. Started, no problem.

I will try again tomorow at 'cold' to see if it is cured..
If so .. that's all folks :)

[BMW IDFR]

I think the thermostat was stuck closed temporarily, when you pulled over it warmed up, that bastard, anyway no worries just make sure you have antifreeze, not just water because water freezes and causes bad sht...
Now, I think you should test the alternator, if alternator is toast, replace the belt and slave pulleys just to save you from a simple preventative breakdown in the future (happens) good idea to take care of it on the spot after this