My E46 drains battery, now won't start at all

[MusaS]

Hi all. I'm not sure if this has been covered before. I have an E46 (2004) 318i, and here's my depressing story.

Friday: I drive a long way home, realise my fuel is below 1/4, but could drive home. I parked the car and had a range of 68km (orange light had just turned on).
Saturday: I was the car, clean the interior. Start it and move it a few metres to vacuum it. Few hours later, i start the car, there is no spark at all. I guessed the battery was low (to my surprise, as everything was off). I charge the battery overnight
Sunday: I put the battery back in, turn the ignition. the starter turns, but the engine does not turn. I suspect fuel, so i put in 5 liters of fuel. I try gain after 2 hours. The battery is totally drained. I put in another battery. I get the starter to turn, but not the engine. after a few tries, the battery is drained.

I bought the battery in August 2012. The fuel pump was replaced 2 months ago

What could be the problem? Where did I go wrong?

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All the time while i was cleaning the car, everything was off, the keys were in my pocket

 

[Chucky]

Sounds like the new fuel pump you put in :fencelook:

If you have the means swap it with another fuel pump and see if it does the same?

 

[Legacy]

Are you sure the battery isn't dead?

I had to replace my M5's battery last week since the car wouldn't start and I would charge the battery for a couple of hours and still it wouldn't even swing the starter.

 

[Pho3niX90]

Could be a faulty battery? This might sound stupid but is everything closed properly (doors, hood ect.) and are lights off? :fencelook:

Where do you stay, could help you out with some diagnostics

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Also, make sure the terminals are fitted properly on the battery, also have a visual inspection on the battery compartment and report what you see.

 

[MusaS]

Are you sure the battery isn't dead?

I had to replace my M5's battery last week since the car wouldn't start and I would charge the battery for a couple of hours and still it wouldn't even swing the starter.

I put in someone else's battery (same size) and its doesnt start. The starter swings, but the engine is dead

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Could be a faulty battery? This might sound stupid but is everything closed properly (doors, hood ect.) and are lights off? :fencelook:

Where do you stay, could help you out with some diagnostics

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Also, make sure the terminals are fitted properly on the battery, also have a visual inspection on the battery compartment and report what you see.

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All lights are off. Doors as well. Battery terminals are correct (otherwise they don't fit any other way)

I'm in Bloemfontein, and I contacted a trusted mechanic here in town yesterday, he's stil on his way?

Is there any other way I could check what is wrong?

 

[Legacy]

Check whether there is spark when the car is cranking. If there is spark then it probably a fueling issue.

If there is no spark while the car swings I would check the crank position sensor and replace if faulty.

 

[MusaS]

Check whether there is spark when the car is cranking. If there is spark then it probably a fueling issue.

If there is no spark while the car swings I would check the crank position sensor and replace if faulty.

I see many threads on how to test for a spark, but unfortunately I do not have any tools with me. Will have to get a mechanic

 

[lucian]

The battery might drain because of something, but to get the car started, you can give it a push start, if it's a manual.
Helped once with similar situation. We jumped, charged battery, but nothing. Enjine just turns but do not start. So one push and it started.

 

[Legacy]

Check whether there is spark when the car is cranking. If there is spark then it probably a fueling issue.

If there is no spark while the car swings I would check the crank position sensor and replace if faulty.

I see many threads on how to test for a spark, but unfortunately I do not have any tools with me. Will have to get a mechanic

There is an easy way to check whether the car has spark but you will need a "friend" and he is in for quite a shock if it turns out to be a fueling problem :fencelook:

 

[Pho3niX90]

All lights are off. Doors as well. Battery terminals are correct (otherwise they don't fit any other way)

I'm in Bloemfontein, and I contacted a trusted mechanic here in town yesterday, he's stil on his way?

Is there any other way I could check what is wrong?

I actually meant to check if it's tightened properly.

That's far from me so won't be able to help, sorry.

Think it might be fueling issue, or spark.

If you have a multimeter there is a way to check the pump under the rear seat, just check on youtube for a vid.

 

[Bazza]

Have you got a tracker or netstar? The sender unit has a battery which keeps the signal reporting while the car is off. If this battery dies then it drains power directly from the car and if you leave the car for long enough it will drain the battery enough to not be able to start the car.

They recommend you check this battery once a year to prevent this. It happened to me.