what would make a bmw stop running ? Shutt off about a year ago and wont start no matter how many times i try?

Question

Parked my car about a year ago and wont start ...tries to turn over but acts like it is out of gas can anyone help

Answer 1

No worries, I left my car for 4 years w/o starting, and it still started up. I now have a standard routine whenever I need to wake up my sleeping beauty. Here's what I normally do.

Do an oil and filter change. Change out the air filter. In my case, my air filter has a sponge layer, which would deteriorate and crumble by the time I change it out. I normally would also change my spark plugs. Check radiator level, visually check brake fluid level (they normally should be fine).

THEN...

Buy and install a new battery. Other than disarming the alarm (if it trips) when you first reconnect the battery, don't do anything else. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. This is to let the battery recharge the system - including the batteries/capacitors in the dash and ECU...etc.

Move the key to step 1, (where all the lights come on), this step would tell you if the power system is charged... if it is not charged, the needles and warning lights will go crazy. If it does that, turn off and leave the car for another 10-15 minutes.

If everything seems fine, just start it. You may find that you might need to keep the starter spinning longer and needing to press on the accelerator pedal. Once it starts, all you need to do is to make sure your tire pressure is good (if not, fill up ASAP), and you're good to go.

I usually follow up with a good wash and wax... and I also drain and fill my radiator (because I do it once every 3-4 years).

If it still doesn't start, the gasoline might have degraded over time. Not sure if there's anything you can do short of draining the tank. Unless the tank is almost empty, then you might try filling it up with fresh premium gas - hopefully the mixture will burn.

Next time, before you store the car, pour in a bottle of Stabil gas stabilizer and fill the tank FULL (to prevent water condensation inside the tank).


OR...


...if the above "to-do" list terrified you... call either AAA or BMW Roadside Assistance to at least get your car to the dealer or a trusted mechanic.

Answer 2

Where was it parked? Have you looked under the bonnet for evidence of rats? They like a good bit of wire! If it was working prior, then there's no reason for it not to now, a year is nothing, I have started many cars after a lot longer than that.
Do all the normal checks, oil, fuel,water......and then turn the motor with the coil wire disconnected so that you lube the cylinders with a bit of oil before running the motor. Make sure that no immobiliser has cut in due to the battery going flat, connect a new or fresh battery and it should go. However, by the tone of your question, you are not really that mechanically minded (I dont mean this as an insult) so maybe get a buddy who knows a bit more about the procedure. Good luck!

Answer 3

Well you might want to try and change all fuel filters, drain the fuel tank, and refill with fresh fuel. Also may have to help start it by spraying ether ( starting fluid ) into the carburetor and boost / jump it off. But with it sitting up for a year you will need to change belts, oil, maybe oil pump as they tend to lock up and not pump oil into the upper portion of the engine and can cause the engine to lock up , which you'll end up having to put in another complete engine.
Other than that I would call around to several highly recommended shops and see what they would charge me to do all this and see if there's anything major that needs to be done.

I had an old 77 Ford Granada that sat up for about three months and it took me about 4 hours boosting it off and spraying ether into the carburetor. Ran fine for a day or two then started overheating and knocking and eventually it slung a rod, locked up, and broke the crankshaft into 3 pieces. Sold the car for junk parts to a Friend of mine that had an old truck that rebuilt the engine. All because the oil pump went out. I had my dad at the time to take it to a well known shop and they told him it was OK. Yeah right.
I hope this helps you out and gives you somewhere to start.

Answer 4

the fuel in the car will need replacing, u will have to get someone to drain the old fuel out and it wont hurt to change the spark plugs too , also take off the roker cover and pour a little oil over the top of the engine to reduce engine problems as it hasnt been started for a long while and last but not least make sure the battery is fuly charged, hope this helps

Answer 5

That's a long time to be sitting nonactive.
Open up the battery cells and see if the water wells have run dry. These aid in conductivity so if they're dry this is a cheap way to test the status of the car. Fill with plain old water then attempt to jump start it with cables.
If this doesn't work then your battery is definitely fried and dead so you'll need a new one anyway. This again is the next stage of "cheap" tests to see where you stand since the battery will be less then $100. Repeat attempts to start and see whatcha get.
If this works then you're all good. Unlikely that injectors and the rest will die from sitting so this gives you a start.
Best of luck.

Answer 6

People, PEOPLE, please! She said it turned over....THAT MEANS ITS NOT THE BATTERY!!!!! Its probably fuel related. Some of the previous answers had good suggestions. Depending on the year, if you have a tiny crack in the fuel pressure regulator, it will trickle down your fuel injection system, and cause a no start scenario. Try cranking on it for a few minutes. It may just need a little coaching. If that doesn't work, have the car towed to a shop who can perform a fuel injection bleed.

Answer 7

When a car sits for a long time, water condensation ruins the gas. Like the others said, drain the fuel tank, and start with new gas.

Answer 8

Fuel injected cars which lose their prime won't restart without having the fuel system primed. You need a BMW mechanic who knows the procedure for priming that system. After sitting that long the tank may also need to be drained and the lines flushed out.

Answer 9

I depends on the year, but I had a 2001 and it cut off on me too. It had something to do with the fuel injection or something that was not covered by the warranty anymore because it happened almost to the day of when the warranty was over. If not over call them, they are good about covering things in the warranty.

Answer 10

Check and make sure it has gas and then jump start the battery. Also if it has an alarm system check that after you get it started and make sure that is not draining the battery.