Completly Dead - Electronics, trunk, everything!

[keano]

My E 46 323i is dead. When trying to turn the key nothing comes on. I can not even open the trunk.

This happened to my wife few days ago but she was able to start the car after 10 minute slike nothing was wrong, but this time it just died on me. Right when I turned the key on, I saw the red indicators coming on on the dashboard for a split second and then everything went dead.

I will have the towing guy bring the car in tonight. I would assume the car would at least do something if the battery was empty but not completly dead. But I can not even get to the battery since I can not open the trunk!!!

Yesterday I checked the connections on the battery and everything looked good. The battery is about 2 1/2 years old.

Any ideas?

For some reason there is not a trunk release button on my car in the glove compartment. That is usual for this model and year, correct?
Edit/Delete Message

 

[William330]

If the alternator dies, it won't re-charge the battery, and that
might be your problem.

If you have some unknown "electrical problem" get ready to
get robbed at the dealer.

PS: My trunk release is below the dash, near the hinge of the
driver door, about 10 inches above the floor.

 

[keano]

If the alternator dies, it won't re-charge the battery, and that
might be your problem.

If you have some unknown "electrical problem" get ready to
get robbed at the dealer.

PS: My trunk release is below the dash, near the hinge of the
driver door, about 10 inches above the floor.

The spot you are atalking about the release is filled with plastic on mine. The trunk will not open with a key either!

 

[bmwrocks]

Although I have never tried it, I think you can open the trunk manually by inserting the hey and turning it? Maybe not, but that sure would be stupid of BMW.

 

[keano]

No, can't open it with the key. It is locked up!

 

[William330]

So you've never opened the trunk? How did you check
out the trunk when you bought the car?

 

[Detrich]

do u have fold down seats? if u do, u can fold down the rear seats, crawl in there and open the trunk w/ the emergency release. but, yah- sounds like could be either an alternator or battery issue. i'd start by checking the battery first. sorry this happened to u and hope u get it fixed soon.