Starting Woes...

[Zchild]

Hey gearheads, here's to hoping that someone has encounted this problem in the past. A couple of weeks ago I started having problems with my AC Compressor, it began making a rattling sound whenever I would use my air conditioner. Therefore I stopped using my air and my climate control system ventilation completely. Within a few days my car starting taking a few extra spins in order to start. Today it would not start and I had to get a jump to get my bimmer back home. I checked the battery and it indicates that it is still green and charging according to the service manual. I drove it home and tried again to start it after assuming the drive home re-charged the battery. I still am getting a huge hesitation in the starting process. I checked all of my battery connections both in the engine compartment and in the trunk and I found no lose wiring. Anyone out there have any situations resembling this, or who can point me in the correct direction to start trouble-shooting would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advanced...
Happy Motoring [driving2]

 

[bmwrocks]

The battery showing a green indicator does not a good battery indicate. That thing is unreliable. I would say you have a bad battery. How old is it? Two options: 1. Drive the car to a garage or auto parts store that will test the battery for free. 2. Take the battery out and drive it to a garage or auto parts store that will test it for free.

I would try that first as it is the most logical starting point, and most likely it is the battery based on your description.

 

[Zchild]

Its been an interesting turn of events... It seems that my engine cooling fan and its electronics had given up the ghost. My fan was therefore never tuning itself off after engine shutdown which in turn was drawing on the battery. I took my bimmer to my Arlington Independent car dudes and they replaced the fan, shroud and its internal electronics for a mere $724.00 which was not what I planned to spend that day. I was hoping it was just the battery. My bimmer has finally started costing me money after 150,000 miles of unadulterated driving bliss. I have replaced the clutch, transmission, engine fan, shocks, struts, springs and A/C Compressor. All these things wore out between 150,000 and 170,000. I love my car and it's paid for... I can also list a whole lot of things that have not worn out. I'll just keep the dark side down and the shiney side up and go for 1,000,000 miles. That's my two and a half cents...
Happy Motoring...[driving2]

 

[Kirby]

Look at it this way - although you were not expecting to spend $724, that's equal to only 1 or 2 payments on a new car, so you're still financially ahead of the game. As you said, "it's paid for."

 

[///M SPEED]

Look at it this way - although you were not expecting to spend $724, that's equal to only 1 or 2 payments on a new car, so you're still financially ahead of the game. As you said, "it's paid for."

Great way of looking at it Kirby and putting it into perspective....

 

[Zchild]

Hey bimmer dreamers and gearheads. I finally had to give in to my six year old battery and let it officially give up the ghost. I have never seen such a diference in the car's feel as after a battery change. I can't explain it, I do not know if its all in my mind, but I truly felt a genuine difference in the way the car drove. Yes, Virginia there is an end to the BMW battery life. Mine lasted six great years and 171,614 miles. I must say for the record I love my BMW, it has delivered satifaction on a meriad of levels and still brings a sh*t eatting grin to my face between 3,500 and 4,000 RPM's. Keep the bright side up and the dark side down.
Happy Motoring[driving2]