Emergency help needed, X5 wont start wont crank
 

Hi guys, I really need some advice...
Bought another X5. Not a best buy so far - as-is, slightly tapped in the rear. Had it delivered as it was disclosed that it is non starter, not even a mileage reading. Connected the booster across tje battery - it went alive, buy wont start, i hear light click under the hood but not sure it is a bendix of the starter, no crank.. What I noticed so far, as I was trying to check fuses in the back, LED on the probe would lite up when i connected it across the battery (booster connected as well) but if. i connect brobe's power clips under the hood, there is a plus terminal, no LED for power on the probe.... There is a red wire that is finger thick goes to it, i assume, from battery, can it be broken? Any ides very welcome.. Thank you.

Start with a new battery.

Your battery is still dead.

And when your under the hood checking for voltage, you are grounding the other wire right?

As it went alive, mileage reads 130k.. It is a 4.4, metallic black with napa truffle brown interior. Stard and drive would be nice

Yes, there is therminal for plus and similar ground, i tried strut mounting nut/bolt for ground , same effect

I was fullish to have it delivered to a mechanic shop, hoping they can make it run (wishfull thinking) and now waiting for tow truck to yake it home

Honestly, I would have a known good battery in the car before trying to troubleshoot a no start. Have you looked to see if the starter is connected? Did you check for continuity between the positive battery cable in the trunk and under the hood?

No, did not check the continuity yet- will make leads extra long tomorrow and buy a new battery.

Take the battery out of your other one.

Check the big fuses in the back of the X5 at the main distribution box. It's the bright blue one against the "firewall" just behind the rear seats. The ones that the main battery (and thicker aux) cables go to. If you aren't getting power under the hood one of those fuses might be shot.

Blue/white version.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...Install/38.jpg

Edit: Apparently they weren't all blue. They could be the color (green/white) shown below right next to the jack.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...ery-001-1-.jpg

Hi, thanks, i did check those with but will do it over, I had borroved the probe tool from my mechanic but I am not comfy with it, being involved in electronics repair/maintenance I am a lot more comfortable with regular multimeter. I found something very surprising - as I went in to glove compartment to look at the fuses, there was a little flash light that stays plugged it for stow, and I had to remove it to gain access. I was like " wow how thoughtfull"

Picture you had attached, some extreme dis-assembly, may I ask why?

The dis-assembly was due to his Audio Install

The battery safety terminal exploded in the accident to protect the car from possible fire. Did you visually check it?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...0&d=1316667329

I was thinking that myself but assumed it was the first thing he would check due to the rear hit.

jsoto is right, it was my audio installation that resulted in the substantial disassembly. I am OCD when it comes to wiring so I run everything down the factory wiring channels and holders. Just recently bought a bunch of rolls of the Tesa tape BMW uses to make the looms too so now I can wrap my harnesses to make a factory-like install.

:iagree:

How do I go around of that?

It's right off your + terminal clamp. It would be very OBVIOUS if your BST went off

I couldn't find any pictures of what the cable looks like after an accident to show what it actually looks like. Maybe it looks almost normal? No idea. But here is a website showing how it works. Should be easy to test for continuity at each end of the cable equipped with the bst to see if it has fired or not.

https://sites.google.com/site/lixina...inal-and-cable

Roman -

Just thinking outloud off my memory on how the + clamp is on our cars

I'm thinking a quickie test. Got a battery charger that puts out 14.4 V ?
Hook it up to the jump posts.

Test the leads in the trunk. However, on the +, pop open the BST and just check to see if you have power off the terminal under the BST.....if you are not able to spot the condition of the BST.

If you have power off the terminal on that, power would be pass through the clamp .

I posted this pic in another thread but should the BST need replacing , the mothership makes replace kits so u don't need to replace the cable from the front to back...

Pics here
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...warning-4.html

Hi, thanks a million, you were right on the money with that information.. Between climbing in to the trunk with booster box trough driver door, took me 10-15 minutes to get the car started.. It, actually, did not look like anything obviosly out of place, just by disturbing wires, i learned that fingerthick wire just kind of wobbling inside, not really attached to anything.. With 2 flat screwdrivers I pushed it in and it took its place- locked back in, then I just got behind the wheel, turned the key and Eeeeeha! Engine fired up.

Surely there are plenty of Christmas Tree lihgts and messages - air suspension inactive, BMW assist inactive, etc. 4x4 light is on but car engages drive, reverse smoothly and moves back and forward.

Here is VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQCgi9C1fTQ

in any case - I would like to thank everyone - Thank you very much guys, you're awesome! Not even owner of famous Bay Diagnostic suspected this - I will call him tomorrow to show off.

Awesome!!!

Great! Post some info about it. Since you got it as a no start, did you get a good deal?

Also, the video is private. :/

Well, yes and no. I took some risks...
It is a 2004, X5 4.4 tapped in rear, No Start, No Mileage disclosed,
Metallic Black with Truffle Brown interior, Sun roof - not Pano.
Self leveling susp, Winter package, folding mirrors.
Very neat interior, almost brand new performance tires.
As Car went alive, mileage 130K, started within 3 sec of cranking after couple of month standing. Cost me $4800 (4200+ delivery from Boston and some fees) It will have salvage title.
If you have any particular questions - please ask away.

The video is private. Post up some pictures.

~famous Bay Diagnostics~.
LOL. Those guys are not worth the hike.

I like in the borough. My alignment/tire shop is in Central NJ. My Indy guy when I'm tired of wrenching or don't want to deal is out in LI. Lots of better ~famous~ shops around if you ask me.

Glad you got it fired up !

They're actually pretty good, expensive-ish but so is any other shop that specialize in European cars and I mean, not just saying "we specialize" but actually have diagnostic equipment, experience and knowledge to take care of your problem. And they really 10 blocks away - can't beat that.

Video is not running?

I used Bay once and that was it. If they were so specialized, they should have been able to figure out power downstream off the + clamp....just saying.

To quote you " experience and knowledge to take care of your problem". They obviously did not in your application.

Yeah, I tried on two devices and it says the video is private. Why will it have a salvage title?

Because it was written of by insurance company due to estimated repair cost was higher than certain percentage of official value off the car.

Right price if all works, Body work on rear hopefully will be bumper cover, support pieces, but not structure. Needs a lower hatch also?

Should I take the credit for this? :nanana: :D
The important thing is you got it started. :beerchug:

Looks like bumper took most of the hit, muffler canisters got dented but not significantly, also left mufler canister cracked the plastic box/housing where battery resides, brackets- muffler hangers bent and lower trunk gate dented at the buttom, i am counting on finding bumper cover and gate in the same color.
The plastic box should not be the problem at all, I could fix it but why bother, anyone parting out similar vehicle would most likely have it as it is not wear and tear item.

Right price and right choice

All can be found and fixed, drive it or flip it!

Speaking of flipping, I found a note under the wiper blade today " if you considering selling this car, please call me" did not call as we had a family drama - my 10 year old do not want to do homework" but will call tomorrow.. Odds are it is some gypsy wants to do me a huge favor and make a generous offer of $1000 :)

Haha call and see what they offer. Do you have it in your name yet?

No, title did not come yet and ultimatelly, I'd have to pass state inspection to get it.. Thete is a little more to the story. Some damages were inflicted to the car, while selling broker is working on it (whatever that means) i do not want to sign " aknowledgment statement" (or something in that nature.). I'd out they will mail the title till I sign, I will not sign anything till we resolve the issue.
The issue is that left corner of the bumper and fender were badly scraped/dented and while car was out of power, driver window was about 5 inches down, passengers was completely open, so to prevent rain coming in, they used some kind of white tape thats sticky on 1 side and taped the openings. Let me be specific now... A person ( complete degenerat) started from the top, rolled the tape 5 or so inches on the door, pulled the knife and cut the tape, pressing knife on door, like we do with kitchen cutting board, so the whole door is... Yes, all the way to the bare metal.. While car was presented with number of pictures, was disclosed that it is non starter, as is sale, those damages werent there and I am not about to agree and accept that. By the way, all it took me to close the windows is to throw a boosted across the battery, turn the key an pull the buttons.....

You should, maybe a little consultant fee would also be in order. He did paid a shop that couldn't solve the problem.

Sorry, I did not understand your replay.
You said " he paid to the shop...." who paid whom? Car came from insurance company holding lot, sold/ actioned off by their registered broker to me. I paid the broker a winnind bid, some document fees and cost of tow. Lot is in south Boston, broker in Florida, while broker, most likely, was unaware of additional damages, I dont see how that shuold be my problem

I have to resize the pictures but I will post what I wad sold and additional damages.. Generally, being straight forward, let them deal with each other, compencate me for having those items repainted or take the car back.. Broker said that manager of the lot will not be in till Monday so i will selebrate my Birthday and wait to see how this will play out.

Didn't you post that you had it towed to a shop?

Wait here's the post

I'm sure the shop must have charged you something, plus with TMV help you didn't have to get it towed to another shop to get it running.

No, shop did not charge me anything, they are long time friends and I always pay the bill when they actually do the work.. I guess their tech did not spend significant enough time for them to ask for money.. Wat did cost me is towing from there to home $85, well 100 with tip.

Yeah, I had it towed, my wife went there in the morning to accept the car and told me that "sanitation department" guys were walking around of it, damaged car - no bumper, all dirty, no plates. I assumwd that odds are high that they will consider it abandoned and might tow it, plus it has nearly brand new performance tires easy to take off.. Anyway, i did not risk it and took it home.

Yes, twice, it was towed from the lot @ Boston to the shop, then from the shop to my home..

We need a "LIKE" button :D

:iagree:

You dont think if you make them take the car back they will be grateful that you now have given them a running car that they can sell for more money? I dont see how they have any incentive to pay for the damages, since they already have your money and are holding the title. I know it sucks that they damaged it but I dont think they will do much to help you out since they already have payment.

Hi guys, I fixed the video to be "Public" so we can see the visual appearance of how that "Plus" terminal disconnect system looks like when activated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQCgi9C1fTQ

Yes, unfortunately this is a very possible outcome but, I can get an estimate form most ridiculously priced Body Shop in NYC, spend $40 for Small claims court, name Broker and now that I have the information about holding lot - holding lot defendants and sue. Serve them both and let them come to NY to defend themselves or hire attorney. Plus, to my understanding, Insurance Company, Holding Lot and Broker are all separate entities and Title will be issued by Insurance Company trough DMV or whatever official channel is involved in issuing "Salvage" title. The way I see it is this: The car is no longer on Holding lot, means that Insurance company was paid for it otherwise Lot would not have released it, there should be a mechanism of title issuance once payment was made regardless of how happy or not everyone down the food chain. We can speculate about possibilities and many will be logical and realistic but lets just see what happens anyway.

Let's see the car man!

This is what I was sold on and expected to receive:
 

This is what I was sold on and expected to receive:

The damages I mentioned:
 

The damages I mentioned:

The only flaws that were present were these:

Well, the fat cat tires look brand new :)

It could just be me, but it kinda looks like the scratches from the front bumper were there in the first pics. Have you tried buffing out the ones on the door? Or are those too deep. Anyone else see them on the bumper in the first set of photos?

Keep in mind that paint reflects projection of surrounding objects plus what that could be is when car is driven trough rain and dries while in motion, dirt leaves sort of brushed lines, nothing of distinctive deep white scratches, unless they photoshopped those out.

No, I did not try to buff the door.. as I was told, buffing is not a harmless procedure, and clearcoat could be "burned" if not done properly.. That the skill I do not have, not yet.