Please help with my bmw 1 series.

[Connor9610]

Right I have a 54 bmw 116i, the battery was going flat every few days (I know I should have sorted it sooner😩’ went to jump start it one morning (had the cables connected correctly) and it didn’t even crank, not even a sound and also no dash lights. Anyone know what it could be or point me in the right direction? Replies are much appreciated

[RUSSELLM]

Currently no electrics, whilst connected to another battery/vehicle ?

[Connor9610]

no electrics when connected other than a dim light when I open the door, none of the dash lights come on at all

[RUSSELLM]

Had it got the new battery on now ?

[Connor9610]

Hasn’t got a new battery that’s what I’m suspecting is the problem but would no lights come on the dash when it’s connected to another vehicle? Had the ecu repaired not to long ago and it’s playing on my mind that it could be that again which would be fantastic just before Christmas

[cossy400]

How long did you leave it connected up with the jump leads??

If you ve let it be flat for a "few" days it might need to be left a while to wake the electrics up.

[Dave.]

Was the other car running?

How thick/long are the leads, & did they get hot?

[Connor9610]

I drove the car only about 24hrs prior to it not starting at all.

Left the cables on with engine running from other car for a few minutes and still didn’t even light up the dash or try to turn over.

The leads aren’t the greatest but they’ve worked ever other time I’ve jumped it, and I didn’t notice them getting hot at all.

Can a battery be so run into the ground that it no longer powers up with a jump? I was atleast expecting the dash lights to come on when I did so. Think it’s worth buying a new battery and trying that? Thanks for all the replies they’re all appreciated!

[Allanv]

Did you jump it from the battery or the points in the engine bay?

[Connor9610]

I jumped it from the battery which looks in half decent condition, can’t see loads of corrosion etc

[naturalaspiration]

If you connect a multimeter straight on the battery terminals what does it say?

[davejf]

You might want to try leaving it connected with the other car running for longer. I had a drain on my Z4 (2006) which ran the battery down in 24-48 hours and found a few times that I needed to leave it 20 minutes connected to get enough juice to wake the car up properly and start it.

[Shanksy87]

As above, you need to do some diagnostics.

Multimeter read with nothing connected. If less than 11v get a new battery.

Once you get it started with nothing connected take another read. If less than 13V your alternator may need replacing.

The fact the battery has gone flat once means it needs replacing in reality. Taking a battery below 10V is like having a stroke, it might work but it won't be the same again.

[Allanv]

Connor9610 said:

I jumped it from the battery which looks in half decent condition, can’t see loads of corrosion etc

Never jump the battery from the battery but only use the points in the engine bay, you can kill the electrics.

Edited by Allanv on Friday 6th December 20:10

[Sardonicus]

Allanv said:

Never jump the battery from the battery but only use the points in the engine bay, you can kill the electrics.

Edited by Allanv on Friday 6th December 20:10

Garbage , they are for convenience nothing more

[Allanv]

Sardonicus said:

arbage , they are for convenience nothing more

Believe what you want but RTFM

[Catatafish]

Some E87 have been known to collect water in the battery area where some electronics modules are. Is it all dry underneath the battery?

Otherwise ask on Babybmw.net - more focussed knowledge on these cars.

[Sardonicus]

Allanv said:

Believe what you want but RTFM

Not a matter of "believing what I like" but being on the tools for a living and understanding electrics but go with what your happy with just dont spout as fact please

[Allanv]

Sardonicus said:

Allanv said:

Believe what you want but RTFM

Not a matter of "believing what I like" but being on the tools for a living and understanding electrics but go with what your happy with just dont spout as fact please

Glad I will never frequent your garage. There is a thread today about people like you. Idiocracy is rife now.

Smart phone zombie as well I expect?

[RUSSELLM]

I personally wouldn’t worry about connecting direct to the battery. Your pos terminal in the engine bay is connected to the busbar that runs directly to the battery terminal. There’s no extra protection along the busbar.

I suppose the advantage of the punter connecting in the engine bay, is that they’re standing further away from the battery, if something went disastrously wrong



Back to the OP, if you know the battery is shot, I’d get a new one on it. I’ve not seen it on a car battery before, but I’ve seen sealed lead acid batteries dry out before, to the point of rattling. Trying to throw 13.8v in to them can cause problems.

Failing that, after health and safety, a reminder for anyone who’s been to college..... “Battery, fuses, relays”

Edited by RUSSELLM on Friday 6th December 21:33