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Thread: Car won't start after getting groceries, brake pedal very stiff

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2008 328i

    Car won't start after getting groceries, brake pedal very stiff

    Hello everyone, I popped into the grocery store after work and when I came back after 30 minutes my 2008 328i would not start, and the brake pedal was hard as a rock. Any ideas what the problem might be and could I fix this myself or am I gonna need an expert. I'm going to leave it there over night and try to start it in the morning before calling a tow truck.

    Thanks a ton
    -Jimmy

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    512
    My Cars
    335i E93 N54
    Stiff brake pedal is expected if not running.

    Focus on the car not starting.
    What are the symptoms and codes?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2008 328i
    Not sure, I had it towed about an hour ago and they said they would run the diagnostics and get back to us. Ill reply to the thread with any updates when I hear back from them. My limited automotive knowledge combined with some google-fu leads me to believe it's a brake booster issue. I know the brake is stiffer when the car is off but this thing was like rock hard, wouldn't budge by even a blonde one.

    As for the symptoms, when I (attempt to) push the brake in and push the start button, the lights and radio come on, there's a feint click, then it just sits there.
    Last edited by Overcusser; 10-20-2018 at 11:49 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    12,462
    My Cars
    36 Cylinders
    Sounds like your battery is dead or weak. Get a jump.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    Sounds like the starter

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    .
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    7,708
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    .
    I'm going to once again agree with jclausen
    ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    George Western Cape South
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2010 E90 320i
    I had same problem today.... was just a dead battery... The display was giving all sorts of errors and I was worried it was something serious. But my friendly local BMW expert came out and got me jumped, got a battery and all is good with the world

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2008 328i
    Hi sorry I meant to update when I got the car back. It was indeed the starter, jclausen. Thanks for the help everyone.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    kingsport, TN
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    02 330ci
    2002 330ci has been in storage ~2 months with trickle charge. Went to start and all dash, headlights and interior lights flash brightly and quickly. Anyone have had similar issue? Tried to do a jump without success too. Wondering if key batteries are dead. Ideas?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    512
    My Cars
    335i E93 N54
    Quote Originally Posted by tedricko View Post
    2002 330ci has been in storage ~2 months with trickle charge. Went to start and all dash, headlights and interior lights flash brightly and quickly. Anyone have had similar issue? Tried to do a jump without success too. Wondering if key batteries are dead. Ideas?

    Start a new thread for visibility. Posting on a closed thread, no one's going to see it.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Kissimmee, FL
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    2009 BMW 328i
    Before I jump to just saying its a starter or whatnot,why don’t they suggest doing some simple diagnostics (i.e. multimeter to the battery & alternator) to see what is going on? I know not everyone has easy access to a reader at a moments notice, but surely there is an auto parts store nearby. Maybe he already has one. Blind suggestions like this can cause people to worry even more about their ride

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