My car is dead!!

[Polisiehond]

Hi there,
I have a 540i 2001 and it would seem that the battery died (four years old), I took it out to put it on the chatger...while loosening the positive terminal, the spanner touched the body, there were some sparks and then everything was dead!
The alarm was screaming until I took out the battery.
What could be the cause of all the lights and everything in the car not working?
I will look tonight if it is any fuse....I thought it could be the main fuse.

If this is the case, what is the proper procedure to put in the battery and/or fuse? I dont want to stand a chance to damage the computer box.

If the battery does charge and starts the car, would I then need to check the altenator? How is this done?

Thanks!

 

[freerider]

This is why you ALWAYS disconnect the negative terminal first and reconnect it last.

 

[Polisiehond]

yah! now I know that. Thanks :clap:

 

[xcalibur]

I did the same stupid thing on my ST (disconnecting positive first) and alarm went off. Disconnected and connected everything and all was dead. I shit my pants.
Jumped the car and all started up. Went for a drive to make sure the battery is charged and once turned off everything was dead again.

Turned out I busted one of the battery cells with the "spark".

If jumping works, one of your battery cells are shot. Get a new battery.

 

[netercol]

ouch.. unfortunately with that type of scenario, you might or might not have busted any of a dozen control units.. or not.
hopefully you were lucky this time..

 

[zaleonardz]

agreed with netercol,

Could have short circuited everything from the ECU to the light control module, or it could be absolutely nothing, and it just popped the main fuse.

 

[Hellas]

Does the E39 also have the fuse cable on the battery?

 

[P1000]

Does the E39 also have the fuse cable on the battery?

It does, but I'm not convinced that that is the problem...

 

[Polisiehond]

Thanks for the info. I will keep you posted as soon as I check the fuses and try to start with charged battery. I did not want to jump the car...someone told me that could fry some stuff if you're unlucky.

It would seem I'm a tad unlucky as I'm supposed to move to Cape Town on Monday...

 

[MikeR]

:mmm: U MIGHT FRIED SOMeTHING ALREADY - I HOPE NOT - Oops caps on..my bad

 

[Polisiehond]

A new problem has arisen...the boot won't open without the battery in it
Can you please tell me how to open it manually? I tried to get in the boot from inside the car and open it while turning the key, but it won't budge.
Once again, thanks!

 

[Polisiehond]

Thanks to the person that sent me a pm!!! Got the boot open and recharged battery in.
My baby starts fine and all seems well.
Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[MikeR]

:thumbsup: wahoooo dont do that again. :slap:

 

[netercol]

whew.. some luck there mate

 

[BMW M]

Consider yourself VERY VERY Lucky! Goo dluck with the move to Cape Town. :thumbsup:

 

[xcalibur]

Glad you're sorted. Have that battery tested anyway, just to make sure you don't get stranded with a dead battery.
Mine charged, but did not keep it's charge for more than a hour or so.