Car Won't Start - United Bimmer Community

**snumfalzumpa** · 03-15-2007, 08:31 PM

I have a 1996 BMW 328i, and my car won't start. I had just started it, then I forgot something in my house so I turned it off, when I came back to start it, it said 'brake light circuit', and it won't start. It's in park, but when i try to start it, the same thing happens as if you were trying to start the car in Drive or Reverse, nothing happens. Any Ideas?

witeshark · 03-15-2007, 08:38 PM

If that happens to me I'd try turning the key on, putting the shifter in drive and back in park (guessing)

**QcMarque** · 03-15-2007, 10:12 PM

On my car the ignition cylinder just crapped out... the acc. and run position work fine still, but the crank position quit. So I had to install a start button (last resort usually) - will your car still not crank?

**c1apton** · 03-15-2007, 10:17 PM

Sounds like it's nuetral safety switch. As previously stated run it through the gears and place it in park or nuetral and try turning it on.

**snumfalzumpa** · 03-19-2007, 12:51 AM

Yeah I tried doing all of that, and none of it seemed to work, the car still won't turn over or anything. Any more ideas?

**94bmw325i** · 03-19-2007, 11:56 AM

try jumping it? or put a voltmeter on the battery at least?

**loudnfast** · 03-19-2007, 01:29 PM

Im having the same problem this morning on my 535i 1990 .batterys good , but its not starting ,lights are bright ,central locking good, but my windows wont work and i get nothing when i crank it...was fine at 2am lastnight .any one have any ideas?

**3050rpm** · 03-19-2007, 04:40 PM

Starter crapped out, or some connection to it...?

**QcMarque** · 03-19-2007, 10:20 PM

Check your relays, fuses, and the ignition(key) cylinder itself, if those are good check the starter... otherwise I'm not sure. Fuseable link somewhere maybe.

As for the windows... does your car have a master window switch to cut the power to them (mine does... which I thought was odd). If so check that to see if you can operate them.

**snumfalzumpa** · 03-23-2007, 12:51 AM

Well I'm thinking it might be the starter, but before this happened it was perfect, everytime i started my car before this it would start up in about 1 second.

**c1apton** · 03-23-2007, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loudnfast

Im having the same problem this morning on my 535i 1990 .batterys good , but its not starting ,lights are bright ,central locking good, but my windows wont work and i get nothing when i crank it...was fine at 2am lastnight .any one have any ideas?

Get a voltmeter and connect to your battery - if you have 11 volts or less your battery needs to be charged or replaced. Lights, central locks, etc take minimal amps to operate, whereas your starter draws almost 200 amps to crank motor. Another thing to check is cables on starter - they corode easily because they're exposed to moisture, grease, dirt etc... wire brush cable ends - ALL of them and at both ends

Re: "Snums" - it too could be a dead battery - try the above & charging battery - also you might have a flat spot in starter - I'm betting it's a combination of dirty/coroded cable ends & a weak battery

**MyXc351** · 05-22-2010, 07:38 PM

Hi guys, my 89 model 525i does not start on regular basis.... usually gets going again after putting battery on charger for a few hours.... also when this happens... my dash loses most of its functions

till battery is charged up again

then its good for a few more weeks

I suspect i got a short somewhere or a crook alternator. Will get it checked out one day

neilferril · 08-27-2010, 01:10 AM

Have you checked the battery of your car? maybe you just need to purchase a new car battery since the rate of the discharge is rather fast. Aside from it, you should also check the wirings of your car, specially those which are in the dashboard. It will be very hard to have a malfunctioning dashboard because your safety will be at stake here.