pranged and now it won`t start

[stE30]

Hi, can you please help me?

My car was smashed yesterday, something backed into me......
and i think it`s totalled my 318i, i still need to drive it for a short while, but it won`t start on the key, it will bump and once started it will restart 2 minutes later, again on the key
but if i leave it for 20 minutes it wont start and i have to get a push
Has anyone any idea why this could be?
My front took all of the impact slightly more on the passenger side, creased the wing broke the head lamp (plastic assy). and broke the fog lamp.
thanks

[gareth]

is there any damage to the high current earth straps or starter feed (fat one)?

[stE30]

is there any damage to the high current earth straps or starter feed (fat one)?

erm.... dunno, there is no damage to the cables that run from the battery are they the ones?
can you please tell me which wires are the high current earth straps?
thanks for the fast reply!!

[gareth]

if you look near the engine mount (passenger side i think) there will be a bare braided strap that runs from the block to the chassis. if this is duff, there will be no decent earth for the starter and then no starting. worth a look as it's an easy starting point!

[stE30]

Thanks i`ll start with that in the morning
thanks alot Gareth!

[cliffybabe]

Ali had the same problem with his IS ask user dark_sounds