Electrical Gremlins

[2mbb]

So I have a 2003 E46 with the M56 engine. Today my son drove the car to an appointment and when he was finished, the car wouldn't start. dashboard lights come on (some, maybe not all), but nothing (no cranking, no click) when the key is turned to start. I tried in Park and in Neutral (I'm not so sure how the neutral safety works). I thought maybe dead battery, so I tried to jump, but that didn't work. I drove my son home and I came back with my multi meter and the known good battery from another '03 E46 with have. First thing I did was try to start the car and it started right up and the engine ran fine with no SES light. I drove his car home. on the way there I noticed the door ajar light was on for the drivers door. I tried opening and closing it, but it didn't work. Also the turn signal indicator started working by itself. If it was on, I couldn't turn it off, and if it was off it would not turn on when I wanted it too. when I got home, I shut the engine off, and it started one more time, but when I turned it off and tried to start it again, it wouldn't crank.

Not so proud about this, but when I opened the hood to try and jump the car we found a dead rat and his nest...My son doesn't drive the car that much and I probably haven't been under the hood in six months. Although dead the rat didn't seem that long dead...

I suppose I need to clean up a little more in the engine compartment and look for damage to the wiring harness. Any other suggestions what to test or what it might be?

[e464]

Maybe wires chewed?