Car won't start

[gwinder]

Just had AAA out and tested battery and alternator and there were no issues but when I go to start car there is nothing...no lights, no dashboard lights etc. Any ideas? I'm about 300 miles from home.

Thanks

Gary

[lhordmclain]

Wild guess

- fuel pump /assembly + fuel filter
* no gas left in the tank ( failure to give incorrect fuel/gas level )
- starter
- spark plugs / coil packs

It all depends how is sound like when you trying to start it up.
Have the triple A tow the vehicle to a BMW Indy shop for further analysis.

BE SAFE & GOOD LUCK

Originally Posted by gwinder

Just had AAA out and tested battery and alternator and there were no issues but when I go to start car there is nothing...no lights, no dashboard lights etc. Any ideas? I'm about 300 miles from home.

Thanks

Gary

[StephenVA]

Let's start from the begining....When you turn the key to start:
Does the car CRANK?
Do the headlights turn on? (battery half test)
Do the headlamps die out when you try to start? (battery dead/drained)
What is the voltage at the battery before you try to start?
When you turn the key what is the battery voltage?
When you crank the car, what is the voltage and AMP draw? (starter, compression test)

If the car tries to start but does not (You only need three things to make a car run- Compression, Fuel, and a timed Spark)
What codes are stored?
Is it getting Spark?
Is it getting fuel? (pressure test)
Are the injectors getting the "open dwell signal"?
Etc.

I could go on for a while on these types of tests. But the REAL first step in any diagnostic procedure is to determine BATTERY VOLTAGE. If the battery is OK, car cranks but does not fire, you don't have the knowledge and tools to attemp a test process of elimination, then a local BMW indy shop is your best bet.

Good Luck and reach out if you have detailed answers to any of the basic info required to priovide a SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess).

By the way, how did the tech from AAA test the alternator without it spinning? These things are belt driven. There are a few bench tests one can do to see if total failure has occured. Other than that, one needs a spining alternator to load test to determine > Volt output, AMP out put, etc.

[gwinder]

OK...so AAA comes back out and I tell him everything I read on the forum leads to the battery which is under warranty. So in the process of replacing it he finds out the cable to the positive is loose. Tightens it up and everything works! Too simple.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Gary

[StephenVA]

Congrats

That is the GREAT news and a happy end to this issue. On the road "no starts" are not a good feeling as you are at the mercy of the people you have readily available to help. Some are good, others not so much...