Won't start, stuck in P

[jwilb4]

Did a radio install today. Must have drained the battery. Lights, radio, A/C, etc. all work but when I turn the key to start its just, "click, click, click". Of course its in the middle of a two car garage so that we had more room to work on the stereo, so there's no room to pull another car in next to it. Thought we'd push it out and get it next to another car, but shift lever is stuck in P. Please tell me I haven't killed this car by changing the radio!?!?!

[beamertruck]

Check the battery, you need a certain voltage to start the car, also the trans is electronically controlled so ya. Try charging/replacing the battery (do NOT let the car die or you may have other issues arise)

[BigBlack48is]

Don't worry about letting the battery die on your e53. NO BIG DEAL!!

Just pop the hood, hook up a charger and see what happens. worst case, the battery is just "bruised" and will jump back. if not, go pick up a replacement and make sure you pop your trunk before you shut it back off.

or just hook your charger up to it, pop the truck and swap it out!

if the dash complains, just turn the wheel lock-to-lock and maybe play with the tire pressure non-sense.

Good luck to ya man!

[Freestyler]

And whatever you plan on doing, if you manage to get it next to another car, DON'T jump start it directly from the other car. You risk frying your electronics if you do. -Other car's generator might put out too high a voltage or send nasty voltage spikes. You never know.

If you have to get it started right away, then disconnect the battery from the other car before you connect it to yours.

Best solution: Trickle charge your battery with a good quality 'intelligent' trickle charger.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Freestyler

And whatever you plan on doing, if you manage to get it next to another car, DON'T jump start it directly from the other car. You risk frying your electronics if you do. -Other car's generator might put out too high a voltage or send nasty voltage spikes. You never know.

If you have to get it started right away, then disconnect the battery from the other car before you connect it to yours.

Best solution: Trickle charge your battery with a good quality 'intelligent' trickle charger.

[jwilb4]

So.... a few minutes after I posted this a friend came by. Not knowing any better we jumped it straight from an Isuzu rodeo with a 3.0 diesel engine. Took a few minutes but it cranked right up. ABS light lit up and stayed on for about 5 minutes and then turned itself off. Drove it into town and back, have since turned it off and restarted it and everything seems to be fine. Guess I really dodged a bullet. I do have a trickle charger but have loaned it to a friend and couldn't get in touch with him. If this ever happens again, that will definitely be my first option. Thanks for the responses. I love this community!

[nyum96]

You can "jump" a car without the donor cars engine being on. Just needs a good 12v source and similar CCA to crank. I could be wrong though.