04 Z4 Won't Start

[apasqua]

I could not start my Z this morning after not driving it for the past 4 days because of the weather. All lights come on the dash including the head lights but it won't crank. I hear a clicking sound from the engine but it will not turn or crank. Could it be the battery even if the head lights seem to be working okay?
Can the car be jumped without causing any damage?

Regards,

Al[IMG]

[apasqua]

I contacted my local BMW service and he thinks that it may be related to the battery which is NOT covered under warranty because the battery was not properly maitenained since the car has 10K miles and it's four years. I've never heard such a thing. They can change the break pads, rotors and what have you but not a defective battery? Does anyone have the phone number for BMWNA?

Regards,

Al[IMG]

[Sagan]

What color is the eye of the battery? It should be green. When you turn the key to start, do the lights dim dramatically? If not, it's not the battery.

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/sagan/sigjq.JPG">

[apasqua]

Lights don't dim at all because the engine is not turning. I only hear clicking sound from the engine compartment.

Al[IMG]

[Sagan]

It's not cranking because the starter is faulty (most likely). If it were the battery, the lights would dim because the battery would be giving up its last drops of juice to the starter. If the starter is not cranking because of the battery being too drained, everything would dim dramatically.

Look at the indicator eye of your bettery. It's right on top. It should be green.<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/sagan/sigjq.JPG">

[markzville]

original in our 2001 530i because it was reluctantly holding a charge. By the way all the interior and dash lights came on, it just didn't have the juice to turn the starter.
With a new Interstate in there it is starting fine.
I recommend a BMW battery tender for the days away from running the car...

[Dfrangipane]

Check the terminals for loose connections. You shouldnt be able to rotate them at all. If you can, loosen them, clean the terminals and the mating surface and reconnect tightly. If that doesn't work its the battery.

[mlmandel]

I had a similar problem and BMWNA basically told me to go fly a kite. The local dealer got so tired of my complaining about the fact the battery was not covered that they reduced the price of a new battery and gave me a BMW trickle charger as a customer make good.

[apasqua]

That'll be the day my dealer will do that. Can I use any battery chargers or do I need to use the BMW brand. I have a charger that i've used for years but I'm not sure if it will cause harm.

Al[IMG]

[TomM]

get it running and then have the battery load tested to see if it needs replacement. Whether or not it needs replacement, it's on our nickel. Batteries are cheap.

[apasqua]

I Jumped started the car last night and it started right up. I drove it for a while to recharge the battery and this morning it started with no problem. It seems that the charge is holding up for now.
Thanks for all your help.

Al[IMG]

[Alan]

I am having the same issue. I just paid over $4K in repair plus other staff at the BMWSF and the car still does not start.

[Penguin]

Try this:

http://autorepair.about.com/od/troubleshooting/a/ts_no-start.htm

http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/index.html

[mikejnichols]

I am experiencing the same problem with my 04 Z4 and what is so amazing is it looks exactly like yours! Has anyone discovered what the problem is??

[Penguin]

Probably just a weak battery.

[Unregistered]

have the key tested. the dealership replaced my starter and 3 days later same issue as before, they ordered a new key because the old one was not charging anymore or rather would not stay charged long enough to hold the car data and would no longer start the car.

[Roman]

I had a same problem an hour ago.This is what I did: I turned off my front lights and my cabin light.Then turned the ignition key and after 3-4 seconds of jumping and growling my Z4 came back to life.

[Z-4CE]

I had the same problem and replaced my battery, works great now! When I looked at the battery, the status indicator was green, in other words don't trust it!
2003 3.0 Sterling gray, black leather, 6 speed manual.
Hardtop for the winter, Sport, Convenience and Premium packages, Xenon, Hoen H11 driving lights, CDV delete, Alutec and ACS strut bars,Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's.
Dinan stage III software, High flow throttle body, High flow intake, Ram air intake duct, Free flow exhaust.

[Penguin]

The "Magic Eye" status indicator on auto batteries only shows the condition of one of the six cells, i.e., it assumes all six cells deteriorate at the same rate. My experience is that a battery reaches the end of it's useful life as a result of one or two cells deteriorating much more than the others.

The best test is a load test, but the easiest is to measure the terminal voltage after the vehicle has sat with the engine off overnight, and then to measure the battery voltage with the headlights on and the engine off.

A google for "auto battery voltage test" will give details of how to interpret the results.

[ZeattleDave2002]

Goddammit people - the thread is FIVE years old and he probably started his car by now and doesn't need any advice :/