Need some help/advice

[steve535i]

My 1991 535i has been garaged for a few months, I started it periodically and, suprise, eventually battery went dead. So... I tried to jumpstart it and it cranks, but wont fire. Do I need to fully charge the battery, or do I potentially have other problems as well. It was running fine beforehand, and I am not mechanically inclined enough to be able to diagnose this problem. Note battery was dead enough radio needs to be recoded. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[billB]

Steve 535
Very simple...go out and buy yourself a NEW BATTERY and start the car...no jumping please on BMWs (try not to give a jump or take a jump) unless it is absolutely urgent, always use the bolt mounted over the engine with (+)
if you keep going after a dead battery with charges/jumping for sure some of your electronic components will fail you too.

Irrespective of who jump who on the BMW ALWAYS turn on headlights and AC/heater fan before disconnecting the jumper. This is to listen any possible electrical surges caused by the sudden impact of removing a load from a charging electrical system (think your PC at home during/after a power supply sag/surge

New battery is your answer..sears $100, Kmart $60, BMW dealer? ...please call them but don't buy it!!!

NOTE: Although your car is 1990s that does not mean the battery is also 13 years old; may be it was replaced by someone recently (ex-owner/you)..so why don't you take a look at it check the date engraved on the battery itself--some of these batteries have 60 months warranty/prorated etc etc.
regards
billb

[BeelZibub]

It's turning over but not firing???

Just a thought - Is there any gas left in it??

[billB]

Gas is a good possibility but I am assuming: 1. at least 1/4 of tank..it is NOT TOO HEALTHY to drop below that; and B. Steve535 is aware of how much gas he has. Still you need a good juice to cold start a dead battery b/c the charging battery may be weak too. Also I took into account the possibility of a cheap/old jumper cable. You'll be surprised to know how much juice is lost between the jumping/the jumped batteries due to a cheap cable; as such buying one of these portable chargers is a good idea. I am talking a $45 Strauss/Sears type of a deal I used it many times to help co-workers, never failed me. No way on earth you'll catch me giving a jump directly from my Bimmer!

Note: Steve535..before investing in a new battery consider borrowing one from another car (friend, wife, anyone) try it then you'll get the final answer.

[steve535i]

K Thanks a lot for your help...The battery was giving me some trouble earlier so I will look into replacement