Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.

Author Topic: Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.  (Read 4297 times)

jeffk-e36

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Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.
« on: May 15, 2014, 12:06:06 AM »
Hello Every one. Ok so I bought a 1994 BMW 318i (e36). when I bought it and looked at it the people selling it didn't turn it off and I didn't even think anything of it at the time till they dropped it off in my driveway and I didn't try starting it again till the car was mine and the people where gone. well I boosted it off my Suzuki vitara, it started fine. then when I shut it off again after driving it, it wouldn't start again. so I charged the battery till it was nice and fully charged, well put it in, still no start. hooked up the jumper cables to my vitara again and just started no problem again, then when I shut it off same thing. So I went to canadiantire and traded in my battery and bought a brand new battery, all fully charged and everything, brought it home put it in the car still no start, hook up the jumper cables and it started up again no problem. so please can someone help me. I just got my first bimmer and it will only start from boosting it I just wanna be able to drive it places, if anybody has any idea on what it could be let me know.
here is the information on my bimmer
Model description: 318I
Market: USA
Type: CA53
E-Code: E36 (4)
Chassis: Limousine
Steering: links
Doors: 4
Engine: M42 - 1,80l (103kW)
Drive: Heckantrieb
Transmission: manuell
Body Color: Arktisgrau Metallic (269)
Upholstery: (0477)
Production date: 14.01.1994
Assembled in: München


« Last Edit: May 15, 2014, 12:08:21 AM by jeffk-e36 »

Darky

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Re: Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2014, 01:09:56 AM »
How are you jumping the car?
Positive to battery and neg to battery
Or pos to batt and neg to motor.
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jeffk-e36

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Re: Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2014, 05:33:18 AM »
I boost it pos to battery an neg to battery why what is the difference if I do it pos to battery neg to battery or pos to battery an neg to engine?

keflaman

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Re: Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2014, 11:04:34 AM »
If I understand you correctly and make the presumption that you have electrical power (headlights, interior, etc), than I would suggest you check the ground wire from the body to your negative post. Does the starter even "click" to indicate the solenoid is extending? Turn on your headlights and watch them as you try to start the car. Do they dim?

jeffk-e36

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Re: Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2014, 07:56:55 AM »
I figured it all out it was just a bad negative battery cable. It's all fixed now.

DesktopDave

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Re: Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2014, 09:37:04 AM »
Glad you fixed it. Reminds me of my favorite motorcycling motto: IATB..."It's always the battery (unless it isn't)".
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

Darky

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Re: Someone Help Please. E36 Only start from boosting.
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2014, 11:03:00 PM »
Thought it might be that!
Glad to see it fixed.