My 2000 Bmw 318i will not start?

Question

Engine does not turn, initially it sounded as starter was stuck tried bump starting but to no avail. Also noticed following when turning key headlamps flashed although lights not on, electric windows and wipers will not work. somebody told me you cannot bump start bmws, is this true

Answer 1

Bump start? or Jump start? if is jump start of course you can about bump start I would guess not. You do need to make sure the negative lead is on the battery of the vehicle giving you a jump start and you have to make sure the one on your vehicle is on a grounded portion of the vehicle(if this does not work try it the other way around, DO NOT PUT DIRECTLY ON BOTH VEHICLES). If you have put it directly on both vehicles check your fuses, you probably fried the starter fuse just replace and try correctly this time.

Answer 2

Sounds as if you have a major electrical fault, the battery is completely dead or the starter is jammed. The car should bump start unless it is an automatic which should not. First check the battery, if the plates are buckled then there will be a complete short across the battery and you will not be able to produce enough power from the alternator to run the engine. You can have the battery checked easily enough, but try taking the filler plugs off and looking inside to see if there is any water, most sealed for life batteries are just ordinary lead acid ones with the filling holes covered and will eventually run out of fluid making them fail (a neat ploy to make replacement necessary sooner than would otherwise be). I presume that the starter is not jammed as you do not say that the engine would not turn. The other option is rather more terminal unless you are good with electrics.

Answer 3

Maybe the earthing strap on the battery is not making a proper connection.Or even the battery needs replacing.Their is no reason why you shouldnt bump start your car but not a very good way for safety reasons.A BMW is no different to any other car apart from its sophisticated electronics which do go wrong.The idea being that you will take it to a BMW service centre for repairs.In disconnecting the battery it will most likly reset itself to default,but then it may need resetting by a BMW centre.Cannot help further without more info.But dont think the fault is serious.

Answer 4

If you heard a dull clunk when you turned the engine start key,then the starter solenoid is jammed,they normally free up by rocking in gear,jump starting can wreck the diodes,if not done correctly,a good tow is the best bet,then you will know one way or the other,but only with manual transmission.It could be the cold start valve malfunctioning ,a trained mechanic is needed here i think.

Answer 5

If the battery is good and charged up to read at least 12.5 Volts, then it sounds like the vehicle anti-theft security system is preventing you from starting the engine.

Sears Voltmeter to check battery voltage:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=digital+multimeter&gobutton.x=0&gobutton.y=0&gobutton=find

How to change a battery:
http://www.ehow.com/how_512_replace-car-battery.html

Answer 6

probably the battery ring up a LOCAL INDEPENDENT garage and ask them