Strange electrical problem - no power

Strange electrical problem - no power

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V8NRG

Original Poster:

854 posts

244 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
quotequote all
My E36 328 coupe has a strange electrical fault which seems to be intermittent.

It works as normal until, you go to turn the key that last bit to engage the starter motor, there is a click then nothing. all power to everything is cut!

No power to lights (in, out and dash), mirrors , windows, head unit. Just no power at all.

If you get out, lock and unlock the door it seems to reset its self and the lights etc work again until you try to turn the engine over. At which point it either goes dead again (did it 4 times this morning) or works as normal.

I'm confused as to what could cause this.

Any ideas ?

TheEnd

15,370 posts

189 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
quotequote all
that's often a flat battery, but it could also be a starter motor problem.

BMW's don't turn over slowly with a flat battery, they just refuse full stop.
Lights, radio, all electrics still work, but it will just not attempt to start at all.

A jammed starter could also do this, as when they are engaged, all power is diverted to starting. This is why a radio will flick off for a second as you turn from "run" to "start"

V8NRG

Original Poster:

854 posts

244 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
I dont think it's either of these as it is only intermittant and will start as ist should some time.

The other thing is that power is not lost for a few seconsds -It is lost COMPLETLY to everything untill the car is locked and unlocked.

I'm going to start looking at the ignition barel etc this weekend.

E30M3SE

8,468 posts

197 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
Could be your ignition switch.

fixedwheelnut

743 posts

233 months

Sunday 18th January 2009
quotequote all
Check your battery terminaals and the positive connecter under the bonnet and make sure they are tight, any loose connections can cause an intermittent start fault.