Electrical Issues.
 

So I have my 535 parked right. I go out a week ago to take it for a ride (the streets were nice and clean, and it was real nice out). Connect batery, turn key and starter wont engage. So, I take it out, take it to a guy I know that rebuilds starters and alternators, he does his thing, (saves me $200). I put it back in. Go to connect the batery, (ground) and its friggin acing. I disconect the starter, try to reconect the batery, (just to see if it was a problem with the starter) and I get the same thing.

Any ideas anyone?

All fuse are good, the only thing I can think is a short in a relay, but me and electricity are not a good combination. (I get nervous when boosting)

wat u mean by "its friggin acing"

What do you mean by "its friggin acing?"

Sorry, I mean its arcing.

well, when you reconnect the ground it's common to have a little arcing if you don't get it on right away. as long as it's not jumping a gap and only sparking a little when run across the top of the post or something similar to that you should be fine.

are you sure you have the wiring on the starter correct?( usually only 1 way to hook them up... but you never know) - also, if it is a big arc then I would assume the guy missed something or screwed up when rebuilding your starter.

A little arcing is normal but make sure you connect negative cable LAST!!!

I should have been a little ore specific. After I get the cable on all the way, the arcing stops, but I have NO power. I just thought of this...... do I have to replace the seat?

no power in the car at all?

replace what seat?

his battery is under the back seat & NO it's not necessary. Put a voltmeter on that battery - if it's been sitting parked for a while I'll bet it's low on charge - you need at least 11.5 volts to turn starter & run. It's common if it sits for a long time to drain battery. Mine is parked for winter but I have a battery tender on it to keep battery up - stuff like your clock, ECU and other things will drain it down if it sits for a month or so. BMW wires them so alot of things are hot even when car is off.

I actually had the baytery removed from the car while it was parked. When I put it back in, I put the voltmeter on it, it was good. Tried to start it, had power to all my accesories. But the starter would not engage. At this point I removed the starter. Got it rebuilt, reinstalled, connected the batery and nothing. No dome light no accesories, no anything. That is when I disconnected the starter's power..... you know, to see if the problem was the wiring inside the starter maybe a short or something. With no power going to the starter, I connected the batery again, there was still lots of arcing, and no power....


Anyway, its at the shop now. I have less than zero confidence when it comes to electricity. Unforunately I have to wait til late next week to find out whats wrong with it. Everyone seems to be off this week.

Oh and on a related matter, the tow truck that came to pick up the car today ripped me off for $20. The dispatcher at the towing company told me $90 for a flat deck truck. I was at work when they came, and the guy charged my wife over $100. Those Fu@#ers.

Is it going to be worth the saved 200?

oOo... never heard of that before, always seen the battery in the engine compartment.

If it were me I'd have started testing for continuity and checking fuses, relays, breakers, etc to see why I don't have power... but I'm also the type that doesn't like to go to a shop if I can avoid it. lol. Best of luck! Let us know what the issue was once you get more info.

Bye Bye. To the shop I go.



http://files.unitedbimmer.com/ub.c/jybute/1.jpg

I am the same way with anything BUT electrical. I have had this car in the shop I think one other time. And that was because I had no time to do it my self.

It doesnt look like it, but if it is the starter, the guy who fixed it will refund my money.