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HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:54 pm
by bedumon
It's happened a few times now and It needs sorting.
While driving, the car just cuts off randomly. It just loses all power but all lights still work. It then won't start....it takes about 5 mins before it'll start. It clicks but won't turn over. I've also noticed that it has stopped heating up fully. The needle stays just shy of the exact middle.
This has left me really confused. Any advice would be great.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:45 am
by Ant
assuming no rubbish alarm/immob try a NEW D.M.E relay 1st dude.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:54 pm
by Brianmoooore
What engine, and does it have an OBC with the CODE immobiliser function?
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:53 pm
by bedumon
It's a 1989 316i 2 Door Saloon. No alarm or immobiliser.......pretty standard stuff.
Just turning the car around and went from reverse to first with the car stopped, gave it a bit of gas and it clonked off. 5 mins later and still wont start. The car clicks fine and theres electricity, but will not turn over.
Very annoying!
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:03 pm
by bedumon
willnz wrote:Try cranking it by shorting pins 11 and 14 in the diagnostic socket.
Will give it a bash but why?
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:04 pm
by Grrrmachine
By shorting pins at 11 and 14, you're bypassing anything to do with the ignition key or other cabin elements, and focussing purely on what's in the engine bay.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:41 pm
by bedumon
So I just gave the shorting a try and it started instantly. Before I shorted it I tried regularly and it did not start.
What does this mean?
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:58 pm
by e30mtec
if youve had battery off recently check the coil lead is back on properly,movement can disconnect it and it might /might not start up properly after cutting out,depends if its loose and touching or not .......its on the positive side on the top
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:31 pm
by bedumon
I fitted a battery about 2 weeks ago and I just checked coil lead.......it was loose.
Could this be the reason it's cutting off?
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:39 pm
by e30mtec
bedumon wrote:I fitted a battery about 2 weeks ago and I just checked coil lead.......it was loose.
Could this be the reason it's cutting off?
definately mate, i did it with mine and it took about a week for me to realise what it was, everytime i turned or stopped quick the car would die, lights would be on etc and sometimes it would fire up perfect until it happened again,sometimes it wouldnt start until the lead touched the connection again,worth doing it up and taking it for a spin,and doing the manouvres that usually make it cut out and just see how it goes,hope this helps,,it was pretty frustrating for me aswell mate
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:46 pm
by e30mtec
willnz wrote:A loose coil lead wouldn't explain it not wanting to swing over.
no but its worth a punt if its loose and it stops it cutting off,maybe its a lose coil lead and a failing starter,u never know eh
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:58 pm
by Brianmoooore
bedumon wrote:So I just gave the shorting a try and it started instantly. Before I shorted it I tried regularly and it did not start.
What does this mean?
If I'm interpreting what you write correctly, it probably means that there is a problem with the power feed to the ignition switch from the battery, or the ignition switch itself, assuming both the non cranking and the 'cutting out' has the same cause.
One of the smaller red wires from the battery + terminal goes to the fusebox, and then on from there to the ignition switch.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:02 pm
by bedumon
I've just given the car a good blast and tested various manouvres after tightening the coil lead and it seems to be running fine
.
Big thanks to all.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:02 pm
by bedumon
I've just given the car a good blast and tested various manouvres after tightening the coil lead and it seems to be running fine
.
Big thanks to all.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:16 pm
by e30mtec
no worries dude, glad to hear its running fine again,bloody frustrating tho aint it ha ha
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:17 pm
by Brianmoooore
willnz wrote:A loose coil lead wouldn't explain it not wanting to swing over.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 5:28 pm
by eltel
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:55 pm
by bedumon
So just a quick question.
My car's driving fine now, but I wanted to know why exactly would a loose coil lead cause the car to cut off while driving? I would have thought a loose lead would stop the car from starting, rather than killing the car while driving.
Re: HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:10 am
by eltel
it could be touching enough to make a connection but then as you drive the bumps and vibrations could cause it to move slightly as it is loose, then you loose your connection and loose your coil power and loose your firing engine
