car wont start

[carnoob]

Hi peeps im a newbie desperate for some advise...

About two weeks ago my car wouldnt start (weather was really cold) it was making a clicking noise so i called out my break down peeps who jump started it with booster ran fine until yesterday when wouldnt start i have jumped it with my freinds shogun sport which allowed me to turn it over but then i lost all power (indicators wouldnt work light radio ) i think the batt was completley drained so i have removed battery and slow charged over night .put it in this morning but still nothing all electrics are on radio air con lights etc but car just wont turn over !!!
i really need to get it moving is there anyone who can help me my car is a 1999 323ci se



thanks

[brettski]

It sounds like your battery is past its useful life. Get it jumped again if you need to, but have them test whether or not the alternator is putting out a good charge, and whether or not the battery is taking that charge.

[carnoob]

thanks
im gonna try jump starting it again and run it to a place that will hopefully check the batt and the alternator charge free of charge will let u konw what they say

[carnoob]

ok still knw joy boosted the car again and drove it to a place who checked the battery and the alternator only not to sure the guy knew what he was doin as first he said it was the battery then he said no its defo the alternator

after bein at this place for about 10-15 mins the the radio wouldnt come on my indicators wouldnt work and the battery light remained on the whole time sooooo still not any clearer as to what it is im gonna have to attempt to do the readings myself to get a clearer picture and hopefully its just the battery

[Mackay]

Find someone with a voltmeter, or buy one yourself.

[carnoob]

ok i managed to get hold of a battery and alt reader so i will let u knw what it reads tonight (alot of peeps seem to think its the alternator ).DOH!!

[carnoob]

ok guys not looking good changed battery only to have the same problem (at least i have a spare battery
on the flip side im still none the wiser the car clicks once when i try and turn it over and someone seems to think its the starter motor so it now could be the starter or the alternator heeelp me i really wanna try and fix this myself but dnt want to buy an alternator if its the starter can anyone help me on this please

[Mackay]

Have you checked your DME (ECU)? It could've gotten wet and failed, e36's like to do that.

[carnoob]

How do I check that and do u knw where it is located

[carnoob]

Ok I'm gettin stressed now I decided to replace batt but no joy so I took off the alternater and replaced it but still the car clicks once but wont start I'm gonna recharge batt over night an try again in the morning .....wat else could it possibly be I'm stumped to say the least

[derek_4491]

have u check all your grounds?

[carnoob]

Ok had to call out a mobile mechanic turns out it was the cable attached to the batt had popped out durrrr lol I thought it looked loose but didn't wanna break the Blake plastic off
At least I now have a spare battery and a spare alternater although the engine management light is now on grrrr it's gonna have to go in for a diagnostics test but at least its running for the time being

Thanks guys for your help

[brettski]

What a saga. But well done working through the process yourself. Good luck with the error light, hopefully its just a reset fix. Good luck

[dudehog]

to what derek4491 said, check your earths. i had a similar problem not long back with the earth strap from the engine to the chassis. not sure if us spec cars are different but, as you stand at the front of the car with the bonnet up, on the left hand side near the bottom there is a strap hat connects to the chassis. disconnect this at both ends and give it a good clean with a wire brush, re-connect and cover with copper grease. worked on mine a treat and i had the same symptoms as yourself. let us know.

[caodan2010]

yeah ur car wont start because of the cold weather, not a big deal, these things happen often