Need help with my E34

[Kuzzy]

Hi all,

I have a BMW E34 3.0 auto V8. I SORN'd it in December as i became unemployed so did not want to renew the insurance & road tax, plus it needed some minor work to pass MOT- New break pads, suspension (front bushes) & tracking..

So stupidly i left it on my driveway over a month without starting, & we've had some pretty cold weather. Last week it would not start, but it did a few days later with a jump lead. I then took it for a little drive round the area, got back in my drive & switched the engine off. I then try to start it again normally (without jump leads) & it wouldn't, there was some weird clicking sounds & a funny smell coming from the engine. An error message came up saying auto trans +-.

I'm not sure what to make of this error message, the auto transmission has been fine whist driving & this has only come up since the car has not been started for a while. Also the ignition is completely dead now & no lights come you turn the key, fobs also no longer works. I'm hoping its just an issue with the battery that needs replacing.

Please advise...

many thanks

[RiccardoG]

By no means an expert, but sounds like your battery might be on its way out (clicking noise, not enough power to start the car). The auto trans error is possibly related to a weak battery (random error messages).

Why don't you start by buying a good quality new battery (Bosch or BMW)?

[buggalugs]

Agree battery, if it’s an old battery they’re never the same once they’ve been properly flattened.

[sparks_E39]

Definitely the battery. My auto gearbox on an E39 came up with an error message when the 12 year old battery died.

[E24man]

As above, battery.

[Kuzzy]

Many thanks to you all, i'm looking to get one soon.

[SebringMan]

If you have a decent charger it may be worth recharging it off a half decent charger. Running the car alone won't be enough to charge it even on a motorway run.

If you don't have a charger than yes I'd consider a new decent battery. Exide are now OE for BMW as well as JLR.