AC fuse blew, Now car won't start - United Bimmer Community

**Jetty** · 06-16-2010, 05:02 PM

I was driving with the AC on and the AC stopped abruptly. I drove to my destination and parked. I replaced the fuse. the AC works but the car won't start now. It turns over and tries to catch but won't start.

Any ideas?

Thank you in advance, Jetty

Big Evil · 06-18-2010, 09:39 AM

Did you look under the hood to see if anything came loose?

**Jetty** · 06-18-2010, 11:45 PM

Nothing visibly loose. I had it towed to a mechanic. His first theory is that the AC clutch is froze up and slowing down the serpentine belt; thus slowing the cranking and starting.

No word back from him yet. I doubt the theory is correct. But who knows?

What might be loose that I should look for specifically? It acts like its not getting fuel.

**Jetty** · 06-18-2010, 11:48 PM

The AC has been rattling a bit since I bought the car two years ago.

the car has 178,000 miles

We've had rainy weather. Twice before when it was rainy... It pulled the not wanting to start stunt. The first time it was winter and wouldn't start. I let it sit for warmer weather and one Saturday that son of a gun fired up. The second time it was rainy, I didn't run the car for a while and it was just hard starting, but it started.

I read something on-line about water collecting around the AC and the fuel relay or something like that. '95 325i great car though, lot of fun. I've never really done any serious diagnostics or anything.

pretty much been trouble free. The passenger window keeps coming out of the clips.... It's happened twice. I guess they make metal after- market clips.

**Jetty** · 07-09-2010, 09:33 AM

Thanks Big Evil, The mechanic had it done the next day. I didn't get to talk to him directly. The work order just said the problem was an "open circuit"

I appreciate the reply. It must have been another fuse or wire.

Now I'm replacing the fan clutch. I was driving on a particularly hot day and the coolant expansion tank blew a big crack on the side of the tank. I replaced the tank. bled the system.

Still overheats when car is at a stop. The radiator fan just spins freely when car is off indicating the need to replace fan clutch. I found one in stock at awto zone for 89.00. Going to install it today.

Also my auxiliary fan does not seem to be working. With ac on and without ac on. The ac never did blow cold air when at a standstill perhaps this is the reason? It blows pretty cold when on the highway.

I'm hoping it is just the switch and ordered one already. Where is it located?

Thanks again, Jetty

**Jetty** · 07-09-2010, 09:38 AM

Mechanic at specialty shop says the vanos needs replaced... timing chain. They quoted me around $1000.00 They say $400 for the timing chain and 4 hours labor plus misc. parts. I'm guessing this is a pretty steep price. Can't say for sure.

Jetty

**bigandspeckie** · 07-10-2010, 02:02 PM

I have a similar problem but haven't taken it to the shop. The A/C blower stopped working yesterday. The controls were working but there was no air blowing through vents. I drove it home miles, parked it up and changed 5a fuse this morning. When I turned the ignition the air blower came on along with all the usual dash lights but the car won't start. Starter motor is turning but won't engage engine. I checked the fuel pump fuse and it's fine. Could the A/C being on while the blower was not working cause this? I had the radiator replaced a few weeks ago at $1200 so don't want to give the dealership anymore money if I dont have to.

BMW 325 2003

**Jetty** · 07-11-2010, 08:21 AM

Don't take it to the stealer. I have a feeling it's a fuse. I would start by checking all the fuses. They have 12 volt testers at auto parts shop for 10 or 20 dollars... surest way to check them. Also just look and see if any are burnt.

In my case the mechanic just said "open circuit" was the problem. I didn't talk to him but they made it sound like it was a burned wire.

**Jetty** · 07-11-2010, 08:23 AM

Just a guess, maybe check the fuel pump relay. I think it's in the fuse box.

**David Mc** · 07-13-2010, 04:22 AM

Fuse #46.

**bigandspeckie** · 07-13-2010, 12:16 PM

I changed the fuse - still no luck - is there a seperate relay somewhere?

Big Evil · 07-16-2010, 09:53 AM

Also if the car is overheating while standing still then chances are your electric fan isn't working, check those fuses, relays and power supply as well.

**bigandspeckie** · 07-16-2010, 12:53 PM

Thanks Big Evil. The car isn't starting so the temp shouldn't be rising although the temp guage shows it's redding out when I turn the ignition on, even though the car isn't starting. If i have a faulty temp sensor, would that stop the car from starting?

Big Evil · 07-17-2010, 09:43 AM

It shouldn't (but that doesn't mean it won't).

went back and reread everything

When you say the starter spins but does not engage the motor, it the motor turning over or just the starter? (is the crank pulley spinning?)

Does the check engine light go off while cranking?

If you just spent a big chunk of change at the dealer on a radiator I'd go back and pitch a fit about the temp sensor situation seeing as how that's part if the system they worked on. It's possible they got something wrong and should fix it (especially for 1200 bucks). They may even fix the other issue in the meantime.

But when you say you had a bad fuse........why did it blow in the first place? I've seen fatigued connections before cause that but a blown fuse in a car as new as yours is almost always caused by something shorting out.

Assuming the dealership service writer isn't already thinking along those lines my grump to the him would be "I just dumped over a grand down you guys and now my car's crapped out again and its stuff I paid you to apparently fix". They HATE that complaint. It's a comeback and customer service complaint and if they're worth a damn they'll get you fixed correctly for no additional charge.

**Jetty** · 07-18-2010, 01:48 AM

The auxiliary fan in front of the radiator was not working on my my car. It was a fuse.

Also my fan clutch for the cooling fan just behind the radiator needed replaced, I bought one at auto zone for 89.00 and the shop installed it for 50.00 No more overheating and the A/C blows cold all the time even when idling.

Originally the coolant got so hot it cracked the coolant expansion tank or reservoir. mainly due to the need for a new fan clutch. Found one used on craigs list, got lucky and found a few other misc. parts I needed. windshield washer fluid pump amongst them. Dang trunk still won't open though unless I crawl in there and unlatch it. All the linkage that is visible is intact... must be in the locking mechanism itself? Dooh!

6 disc CD changer has a mind of its own and reads "disc error" but only sometimes and then starts working again. Maybe just needs cleaned?