Car died....need help

[Smartiesman]

Hi guys
Yesterday afternoon on the way home, the car just switched of on the highway. Once on the side and away from all the crazy truck drivers, tried starting the car, the engine just turns and it feels as if she wants to start but no luck. So unplugged the battery and tried again, same story. By now the Battery was almost dead, so got a bud out to boost, as we tried again, saw a little smoke under engine, tried to see the source, but no luck.
So towed the car back to my work place and parked off. As we pulled up there, I put the ignition on and saw a Steering Lock symbol appear in RED.
So it was already dark, decided best to park off and look today.

Does anybody have a clue as to what the problem could be?
Car is out of motor plan, got a warranty plan tho.

 

[abmi0000]

Does you car have active steering?

 

[SPIDER]

cHECK THE CRANK SENSOR BUDDY HAPPENED TO ME NOT SO LONG AGO.
gOOD LUCK HOPE YOU GET IT SORTED

 

[Smartiesman]

Update, went to remove the Battery to put it in charge and terminals were tight but on the positive side, the panel that fits on the battery(don't know what it is called) was loose, so as i was removing the battery, it came loose. No this thing suppose to be 1 piece with the terminal.:argh::argh: Broken. So ordering a new 1 now, going to replace it, charge the battery for the whole day and will try it this afternoon.

So only after replacing and charging the battery, will i know what the cause is.

I read thru the manual and it states, "keep the engine running If possible and contact bmw" So my guess it would relate to the battery somehow. Stand corrected but will soon find out.

 

[JENICH]

Holy crap dude,
I have no idea but hope you come right soon

 

[zaleonardz]

First few sentances I figured loose battery terminal, but the fact that is swinging means its not a battery issue.

I would say +1 on the crank sensor, but the little smoke ?

Only thing that can kill a car so hectically dead is a crank sensor, even a failing cam sensor or maf or map will result in a sucky car, but not dead stop.

Only thing in your future is diagnostics, without it, you are grasping at straws, and not even the rum kind.

Where is the car bud, I can perhaps come out and give you a hand ?

 

[Smartiesman]

First few sentances I figured loose battery terminal, but the fact that is swinging means its not a battery issue.

I would say +1 on the crank sensor, but the little smoke ?

Only thing that can kill a car so hectically dead is a crank sensor, even a failing cam sensor or maf or map will result in a sucky car, but not dead stop.

Only thing in your future is diagnostics, without it, you are grasping at straws, and not even the rum kind.

Where is the car bud, I can perhaps come out and give you a hand ?

The car is at my work place, Alberton, got a diagnostics machine here, once i charge the battery, will run the tests and see what comes up. It was strange. Is the crank sensor a big job to be replaced? expensive? Just blew allot of cash this weekend, so tight now, but it is my car and I will do what it takes to get her mobile again and real soon.
.

 

[zaleonardz]

Crank sensor is not the end of the world to replac,e it is an hour or two, and cost for the sensor is like just over/under 1k.

If you dont come right, I am in Oakdene, and can pop past with BMW diagnostics.

I dont think its crank though, based on the little smoke, dont really know what that could be either.

I shudder to think, ECU perhaps, I HIGHLY doubt it, but have you recently had your engine washed, drove through a puddle.

If you go back to basics, spark and fuel, and in your case just compression and fuel, she must run.

A simple trick that you can do, remove the fuel rail complete, turn the key and see if the injectors fire, if they dont, crank sensor, ecu, fuel pump, EPK and of those and more, if they do, compression.

If it was something else like boost pressure/turbo/duckie in cylinder 3, the car will still run, badly, but it will.

 

[Smartiesman]

Crank sensor is not the end of the world to replac,e it is an hour or two, and cost for the sensor is like just over/under 1k.

If you dont come right, I am in Oakdene, and can pop past with BMW diagnostics.

I dont think its crank though, based on the little smoke, dont really know what that could be either.

I shudder to think, ECU perhaps, I HIGHLY doubt it, but have you recently had your engine washed, drove through a puddle

None of the above. I returned from Durban on Monday with no hassle except a rear puncture which i had fixed on the spot before i drove any further. Went to work yesterday morning, no hassle, no funny business happening any where. Driving as i usually do and she died

 

[zaleonardz]

Edited the post, see the comment about the fuel rail test

 

[FaSTandFurious]

Good luck. Let us know how it goes

 

[Smartiesman]

Edited the post, see the comment about the fuel rail test

:thumbs: will try it

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Hope you come right soon, LZ is definately the man to help you out.

 

[Smartiesman]

Hope you come right soon, LZ is definately the man to help you out.

I know, just waiting on this Battery, doing a slow charge to preserve the cells and also waiting on the part i need.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Sorry to hear this! Hope you find the problem and that it's not serious! :thumbs:

 

[zaleonardz]

Im being a moron,

I think I know exactly what is wrong, had it twice before on a 320d.

Check that you have 12Vdc+ at the DDE, if not call me and I shall tell you whats wrong..

 

[Smartiesman]

Im being a moron,

I think I know exactly what is wrong, had it twice before on a 320d.

Check that you have 12Vdc+ at the DDE, if not call me and I shall tell you whats wrong..

The battery is fully charged, just waiting to get that plate for the positive cables. It is broken and trying to source 1 asap.

 

[zaleonardz]

Plate on the positive cables,

You mean the inline fuses.... cause if so... thats exactly your problem.

No power to the DDE due to that plate...

 

[Smartiesman]

Plate on the positive cables,

You mean the inline fuses.... cause if so... thats exactly your problem.

No power to the DDE due to that plate...

I was kinda hoping i get a reply like that. It was not completely broken off completely but holding on by its hair.
Break time, going to see if the part is here and if i can get it started. post feedback real soon.
Thanks alot zaleonardz

 

[zaleonardz]

K hold on, do the following.

In the engine bay, on the left hand side (Right hand drivers if you want to be technical) on the shock tower, you will see a biggish electrical connector that you can flap open for the battery positive.

Right about there, I think its on the same housing, or there about, you will see a smaller wire on a ring terminal held on by a bolt. This wire actually runs into the channel and physically runs over the engine into the electric box on the top right of the vehicle.

If you meausre for 12Vdc+ on that cable, and you have power, then its something else, however, if you dont, your DDE is not getting power.

That pin that I described, not the wire, the exposed pin on the pedistal comes directly from the battery, fused onto that plate with an inline fuse, no power means dead car.

Fix the fuse/change the plate, and bob is your grandma's kitten....