Had it 36 hours and it WON'T START!

[camcc]

Typical luck of mine (cursed I believe)

Just gone to the car at lunch for a munch and a read of the paper. Put the key in and put the window down for some air. Ate, then saw a more practical parking space, compared to the kerb I was parked on. Went to turn her on...........nothing, just a quite hum of something electric when I turn the key.

Took the key out put it back....same
Turned the key over....same
Got out, locked and unlocked car.......same
left it 5 minutes............same

The orange and read inspection light is on so I am aware she needs a service (last one was 8,000 miles ago), but i've had no problems starting her 10+ times over the last 2 days.


What the hell?? (It's an 87 320ise auto btw)

[Dan320is]

Is it in park or neutral? I wont start otherwise.

Just a guess.

[ClemQjeronimo]

check its in P or N

[camcc]

It's in park haven't tried neutral will do in a bit but i'm not hopeful if it doesn't work in park.

Any other ideas?

[320Touring]

if you just hear a "wirrr, thunk" could be the battery aint holding enough juice to activate the starter

[camcc]

Yeah it's just a hum of something motorised or electric - it doesn't turn over or anything.

I don't understand why the battery would be flat......I take the radio out and check the lights every time I leave the car.

[320Touring]

depends-old batteries aint too hot at keeping their charge! a dodgy alternator may also mean it doesnt charge properly, so if you do a lot of short journies, the battery runs down.

try jump starting it-if it starts ok get the battery checked out /trickle charged.

bit of a pain as you dont really want to be bump starting an auto

[camcc]

think i'd better call out breakdown

[Globulator]

The boot light switch is the usual unseen culprit for draining batteries - put a cap over the end to make the button longer, so it really really switches off.
I'd recommend a Bosch Silver-Top new battery only after you have done that and seen if the old one is a goer.

[Cotty]

The boot light switch is the usual unseen culprit for draining batteries - put a cap over the end to make the button longer, so it really really switches off.
I'd recommend a Bosch Silver-Top new battery only after you have done that and seen if the old one is a goer.

Are these good as it look like I have a similar problem, be interesting to see what the breakdown service thinks

[Finny]

I bought a 325 a while back which had been stood for a while, the same thing happened to me have you tried bumping it?

What it turned out to be on mine was a bad earth to the starter, check it out it could well be the same thing.

Ther is a earth strap which connects the starter to the solenoid this is exposed brade and could of corroded causing the bad earth.

I took the starter off undid the earth strap and cleaned up the connection with a bit of sand paper so it was clean metal, put it all together and it started first time every time.

Ps the electrical buzzing will be the fuel pump totally normal.

Cheers

[camcc]

Well....the AA finally came and sorted me out (best £50 i ever spent)

I'd left the bloody lights on (as there isn't a gong warning?)

Battery went flat, but is apparently very healthy and all is now well.

Thanks for all your help guys

[Globulator]

Are these good as it look like I have a similar problem, be interesting to see what the breakdown service thinks

Well Bosch is the original fitment - so it looks right, they are great batteries, cheap as chips at CostCo (where Mobil 1 is £20/4ltr) and my mechanic friend rates them very highly too - winner all round.
Cure the fault first though - any rechargeable battery will be killed by discharging to 0V enough times, each time dead probably removes 1 years life...

[cliffybabe]

The boot light switch is the usual unseen culprit for draining batteries - put a cap over the end to make the button longer, so it really really switches off.
I'd recommend a Bosch Silver-Top new battery only after you have done that and seen if the old one is a goer.

When i thougth it was my bot light i made my mate climb int he boot and lay there whislt i shut him in, we left him there for about 15mins before we let him out, He still moans abotu it 4 motnhs later

[Brianmoooore]

- put a cap over the end to make the button longer, so it really really switches off.
.

Or you could adjust the catch properly! BMWs don't need this sort of bodging.

[Steviec]

Well....the AA finally came and sorted me out (best £50 i ever spent)

I'd left the bloody lights on (as there isn't a gong warning?)

Battery went flat, but is apparently very healthy and all is now well.

Thanks for all your help guys

Join the club, the amount of times I left my lights on as there is no warning to remind you.
At least it was a simple cure.

[320Touring]

Well....the AA finally came and sorted me out (best £50 i ever spent)

I'd left the bloody lights on (as there isn't a gong warning?)

Battery went flat, but is apparently very healthy and all is now well.

Thanks for all your help guys

Join the club, the amount of times I left my lights on as there is no warning to remind you.
At least it was a simple cure.

you should always drive your e30 hard enough so that when you park up you HAVE to have a "loving glance" back at it, and notice the lights on

brian, agreed on the boot catch-is 1 min with a 13mm spanner too much to ask?

[Brianmoooore]

Total "lights left on" load should only be about 4.5A or so.
A decent battery should be able to stand several hours of this.

[camcc]

Maybe the battery is crap then - i'll get them to check it our when in for a service on Friday - AA man said it was fine