Rear ended and dead
 

While my wife was waiting for the light to turn green another driver decided to try and defy one of the laws of physics (no 2 pieces of matter may occupy the same space at the same time) and slammed into the back of her BMW X5 (2003). She calls me because while the damage is limited to the rear bumper and rear hatch, the X5 won't start and the airbag light remains on. Incidently she recalls that the airbag attempted to deploy because there was a puff of powered coming from the dash but it didn't deploy. Fortunately the guy has insurance but I'm puzzled as to why it wouldn't start? Everything else in the BMW was working. However the only noise I heard while attempting to start it was a single "click" noise. If there was a fuel cut off I would think the engine would turn over unless that is a safety feature as well (ie. fuel cut off switch activated and in turn no power to the starter).

Maybe the automatic battery disconnect?
Glad your wife is ok...they can fix your X.
GL,mD

Good that she's ok.. Just be glad the person had insurance. That happened to me and the person had no insurance so I had to claim it on mine. Thats nonsense that people just drive around with no insurance.

It is actually a saftey feature built into the vechicle. I did read about these cars getting rear-ended, and having to go back to the dealer to be reset. I believe it has something to do with the gas lines possibly breaking during an accident and leaking, so the vehicle will not start for that reason.

there is a device on the positive lead of the battery that basically explodes and disconnects power to avoid fires.
you will need to replace this piece.
in the mean time, you might be able to bypass it. at least in theory since i've never done it but that's the issue.
glad your wife is okay but she should still get a check up. i can't believe these moron drivers that can plow into a stationary car!

Phew, the title of your post scared me a bit. UncleBob is right, there is a piro thingy that explodes. Same thing happens with the seat belts, maybe thats the smoke you wife saw instead of the airbags attempting to deploy.
So glad your wife is fine.

Re: Rear Ended and Dead
 

My thanks to everyone for your kind words and thoughts. The BMW held up like the tank it is. The damage would have been much greater if she had been in another vehicle. The vehicle that hit her was doing at least 40 MPH (posted speed limit on that road and most go over by 10 MPH) and he didn't even hit the brakes. I'm not thrilled about the gas mileage it gets but I do have peace of mind that my wife and kids are in an extremely safe vehicle.
Take care.

Wow, this helps a lot, I'm glad I searched. I was rear-ended yesterday and the same thing happened to me.

I think you are in a minority, searching first and finding the right thread, then posting. Congratulations!

Welcome to the forum!

Yeah I know it felt great to find out!

I was angry because after the wreck I looked in the manual for a long period of time for a "fuel cut out/inertia switch."

I gotta give props to BMW though. My car will most likely just need a new bumper and the other drivers Focus was literally caved in.

Also, the pyrotechnic use is pretty bad-ass.:thumbup: