Member
I know, battery right? Not the case. Engine cranks very fast, just like normal, but does not fire.
Went on vacation for 11 days and got back and now the car won't start. It's a 2003 540i/6.
When I went out to the car this morning I noticed that the locks weren't working properly. Only the passenger front door locks and unlocks. Not other doors will lock or unlock including the trunk.
When I initially got in the car the DIC screen was not coming on along with the radio display even though the radio was on an playing. The dash lights were also very dim. I decided to try to jump it off another car. That got the DIC display to come on, but the lights are still flickering strangely on the dash and the key chime is making a strange noise. Engine cranks very fast, but does not attempt to fire.
The week before leaving I had an issue with the alarm randomly going off so I pulled the fuse to disable it and everything seemed normal the rest of the week. I am wondering if I have an alarm issue.
Have not checked for fuel or spark yet.
Any ideas?
FASTEN SEAT BELTS
I've cranked the car normally off a battery reading 11.2-11.4V, operating voltage barely reached 12V running.
Your battery is kill, the alternator will work itself to death and maybe even crank the car.
Last edited by XAlt; 05-22-2017 at 10:03 AM.
Almost There
Moderator
Check voltage at battery while cranking. Try a jump.
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Member
Battery was reading 14.6 when jumped off the other car. SHould have started I would think.
Member
Got a new battery and no change. Going to check fuel and spark now I guess.
Dismembered
Check front passenger floor for moisture, and check fuel pump fuse and relay.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Member
ACtually, I think you may be onto something. A couple days before gong on vacation I noticed I had a puddle of water in the passenger rear foot area. I figured it was the vapor barrier for the rear door and that I would fix it when I returned. I vac'd the water out and went on my way. Thinking more about it the alarm started freaking out randomly right after I noticed water for the first time. Whatever is going on now is definitely more electrically related as the electrical components are all acting very strangely. Nothing really works electrically as it should right now; wipers, seats, door locks, windows, radio. What can moisture down there mean? What systems are housed down there that could be affected by water?Originally Posted by BimmrMeUpSnotty
Almost There
Moderator
Sorry to tell you, but its time to lift up the passenger side rug and check this.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...72942445_o.jpg
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Dismembered
There is a fuse panel with a lot of relays, front passenger floor heading up to the dash, if water was coming in from the front, maybe sunroof drains, check front and rear, you have to pull up the carpet, pull the front seat, rear seat, door step trims, front passenger kick panel, make sure the LCM module is ok, that resides behind that kick panel, and water has done it in for multiple E39's, there all kinds of sensors underneath the front seats, whole bunch of stuff that don't get along well with water. Also, check your door panels, water could have come in that way if the vapor barriers failed. Another neglected section to check, in the engine bay, by the cabin filter locations, there is a drainway that often gets neglected, debris from trees, if you park underneath them all the time fall in through the windshield and the hood. They pile up around the drain way that dumps out water through the inner fender. If this gets clogged up, water will pool into the compartments underneath the cabin filters. On the drivers side, the brake booster, which will suck water in and your engine gets screwed, on the passenger side, the DME, the main computer and another fuse and relay box go swimming.... Still love these E39's? Good luck, I hope it's something else man.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Member
I think it is that. Now the issue I need to figure it is how to remove the passenger seat when none of the seat switches do anything....
Where is the dme located?
Feral American
Maybe power the seat forward/backward motor directly at the plug under the seat?
Lights on, nobody home
That's a pretty picture, Mr. Sammich.
Member
The DME is in the E-box under the right side cabin filter.
Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.
Member
Checking around at some stuff. Have no power at all to the fuse box in the glove box. No blown fuses at all but also no power to it. Where is the fuse box fed power from?
Member
Definitely have water in the ecu compartment which looks like could allow water to drain down the wiring harness and into the car. Oh joy.
Member
Think I found the issue.
Almost There
Moderator
Yes you did. Dry and clean everything. Disconnect battery first. Good luck.
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Member
The 6 lower wires were completely separated from the connectors.
Dismembered
These cars are so predictable, sorry about that.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Member
Holy cow !!!!! I had no idea this could occur with these 3-39 cars! I had better inspect my car just for preventative action scenario..............WOW ! ! ! So sorry man!Think I found the issue.
Dismembered
Whenever I pop my hood up, you know, check the oil, check the coolant level, I always check those drainways. My cars are always garaged, but not at work. So, on the last check, I'm betting chipmunks had a nut party on top of my struts, a lot of the shells had jammed themselves in the drain ways, both sides. If you neglect crap like that, leaves and pine needles tend to jam up the rest, next thing you know, your junk is swimming for their lives, stay on top off this stuff.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Having No Trouble Here
BMW CCA Member
Epic photo! Definitely makes the "hall of fame passenger floor well flood" category of E39 photo contest.
- - - Updated - - -
Paging Manny.
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)
Dismembered
Lol
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Member
Personally I think it is poor design. There should be some way for water to drain instead of pooling like that. WTF BMW!
2000 528i sport
EMP Stewart water pump
Dice iPod adapter
Alpine amplifiers
MB Quart speakers
MTX BGE12 subwoofer
AudioControl EQL equalizer
Dismembered
Drill a drain hole at the bottom of the buckets they placed underneath the cabin filters....
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
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