help - car won't start...battery?

jiggz · 10-20-2007, 12:49 PM

Turn key - dash lights, cabin lights, radio, etc. all work but that is it. Loud click click click click coming from dash - xenons flickering, etc.

I've done several searches and found a # of threads with this same issue. The consensus from those threads pointed to the battery, but most were able to jump it?

I tried to jump start it and still nothing. Even with a dead battery, shouldn't it start with a jump? The indicator light on the battery either isn't working, or is black (black means charge required per the manual)

I guess the fact I couldn't jump it has me wondering if it's something else? The car is a 2001 with the original battery.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

bmwbun · 10-20-2007, 12:57 PM

This just happened to me a week ago.

Click, click, click and lots of burrrring and humming from the dash.

At first when I tried jump starting it didn't work. But after I improved the jumper cable connections (by digging the clamp teeth into the terminals better) I was successful in jump starting the car.

There is much data here on replacement batteries.

Search on:

Everstart 48-3

Duralast 94R-DLG

Duralast 48-DL

Duralast 49-DL

All of these batteries will work in your car.

You need to be aware there is a vent off your battery because it is in your trunk. The batteries I mentioned have venting.

techjunkie · 10-20-2007, 02:19 PM

I dont normally like the "shotgun" approach of replacing parts until the problem goes away but if you have a 2001 battery and your having electrical problems, replace it. You should be able to jump start the car with a dead battery but sometimes there are internal shorts in the plates of the battery which could make it worse than no battery! Check the connections at the battery and at the starter if you can find the damn thing, I have no idea where my starter is. And get a digital voltmeter, they are not expensive. You should have about 12.6 volts DC on your battery with the car not running.
Good luck.

DBLAZE · 10-20-2007, 02:22 PM

This sounds like a battery problem to me also. Check the connections and try to jump it again; but chances are you will have to just change out the battery.

jiggz · 10-20-2007, 03:32 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.

I tried to jump it a 2nd time and it worked. Obviously my neighbor and I didn't have a good connection the first time

Got it started -> off to autozone -> checked it -> dead -> replaced with Duralast 49-DL-> good to go

shine330ci · 10-20-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiggz

Thanks for the replies guys.

I tried to jump it a 2nd time and it worked. Obviously my neighbor and I didn't have a good connection the first time

Got it started -> off to autozone -> checked it -> dead -> replaced with Duralast 49-DL-> good to go

I think all the e46 battery are going dead at the same time, I just had the same problem you had, my battery just died...I tested and tells me that a cell is dead. I called the dealer $146.00 plus taxes, I call autozone $ 79.00 for a 49-D but they did not have one in stock so I have to wait for monday. I would like to ask you if these Duralast batteries fit properly without any modification, also once you disconnect the battery.... did the radio went on CODE mode?? and do you or anyone knows what's the difference between the 49-D and the 49-DL
Thanks
Elio

jiggz · 10-21-2007, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shine330ci

I think all the e46 battery are going dead at the same time, I just had the same problem you had, my battery just died...I tested and tells me that a cell is dead. I called the dealer $146.00 plus taxes, I call autozone $ 79.00 for a 49-D but they did not have one in stock so I have to wait for monday. I would like to ask you if these Duralast batteries fit properly without any modification, also once you disconnect the battery.... did the radio went on CODE mode?? and do you or anyone knows what's the difference between the 49-D and the 49-DL
Thanks
Elio

Perfect fit. I removed the OEM adapter on the vent tube and used the one that the battery came with as it fit better. Otherwise, you should have no troubles.

Don't know the difference between the 49-D and 49-DL, sorry.

stink · 10-21-2007, 12:48 PM

Heh, my battery just died today also... Thanks for the tips - looks like I am off to autozone for a 49-D

shine330ci · 10-22-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiggz

Perfect fit. I removed the OEM adapter on the vent tube and used the one that the battery came with as it fit better. Otherwise, you should have no troubles.

Don't know the difference between the 49-D and 49-DL, sorry.

Got the battery today from Autozone for $ 79.99 plus taxes, fits like a glove the only matter is that its just a little longer, I did not removed the white plastic the was at the edge of the original battery so the battery seat little un-level, no need to install a spacer to hold the battery down and it's very easy to install the vent tube. Remember if you disconnect the battery you will lose all the electronic settings,to keep the settings you need to do what I did, I called one of my friend and with jump cables I hocked up his battery to the battery terminal of my 330ci which is located in the engine compartment, we changed the battery and then carefully removed the jump cable from both vehicles, doind this way I did not lose the radio station and the air bags don't need to be reset... I don't know if it matters that the battery is just a little un level.. what you guys think ???

2001 BMW 330ci with 49,800 miles
1988 BMW 325e with 180,000 miles
1979 Fiat Spider with 63,000 miles ( sunday car

)

shine330ci · 10-24-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiggz

Perfect fit. I removed the OEM adapter on the vent tube and used the one that the battery came with as it fit better. Otherwise, you should have no troubles.

Don't know the difference between the 49-D and 49-DL, sorry.

Did you removed the little white plastic block where the original battery was ending ??

YuCrew · 10-25-2007, 06:46 PM

I think the DL means Duralast.

shine330ci · 10-26-2007, 02:06 PM

Go with the Duralast 49-DL, I just installed on my 2001 330ci $ 79.99 plus taxes, dealer price was $132.22 plus taxes does comes with the vent tube . It's a little longer and little shorter, you will have to remove the little white plastic that holds the original battery in place and add small spacer to hold the battery down, I used plastic but you can also use wood.... It;'s a good battery 2 years free replacement and 7 years warranty. Good luck

Shine 330ci
2001 BMW 330ci with 49, 900 miles
1988 BMW 325e with 181.000 miles
1979 Fiat Spider with 63,000 miles ( my summer drive )

JoeK · 10-26-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shine330ci

Did you removed the little white plastic block where the original battery was ending ??

When i replaced mine with a 49-DL i removed it, it fit better for me. I think the new battery then sat a little lower/shorter than the stock battery.

bmwbun · 10-26-2007, 03:17 PM

I think it is funny how we all have the same battery compartment and how some are able to drop in a 49-DL with no problem, while others have it riding on the white spacer, while others have to remove the spacer, while some have to put a spacer under the paddle clamp and others don't.

There must be some ugly installations out there, batteries flopping around....

I think the sum total of your 49-DL comments are contradictory and in the end make it confusing for the person who is looking for a battery replacement. I know it did for me a few weeks ago.

Turns out that I ended up going with a different solution than the 49-DL that was cheaper and had fewer installation issues.

ougeta · 10-26-2007, 06:28 PM

I just had the same problem 2 days ago, searched for a battery. Cheapest I found was at a parts store for $95 so i called up the dealer and got one under discount for $118. I think i saved around 15%. So Good luck

shine330ci · 10-26-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeK

When i replaced mine with a 49-DL i removed it, it fit better for me. I think the new battery then sat a little lower/shorter than the stock battery.

I removed the white plastic piece and battery fits better now,
I add a round piece of soft plastic to hold the battery down....

VALMONT · 10-26-2007, 06:50 PM

get a BOSCH battery

cost 110.00
same exact size and shape as factory
available at pepboys

shine330ci · 10-26-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwbun

I think it is funny how we all have the same battery compartment and how some are able to drop in a 49-DL with no problem, while others have it riding on the white spacer, while others have to remove the spacer, while some have to put a spacer under the paddle clamp and others don't.

There must be some ugly installations out there, batteries flopping around....

I think the sum total of your 49-DL comments are contradictory and in the end make it confusing for the person who is looking for a battery replacement. I know it did for me a few weeks ago.

Turns out that I ended up going with a different solution than the 49-DL that was cheaper and had fewer installation issues.

Would you like to share with US which battery you installed in your BMW ?
Brand ? Model number and how much did you pay ?? this will help someone else who research batteries for our cars. Thanks

JohnMate · 04-28-2008, 12:41 AM

this may seem completely retarded and by all means call me what you like under the sun but its better to be sure then balls it up and end up costing me a small fortune. How do you remove the battery the metal bar over mine with the support plate is bolted in excessively tight for something that is removed semi regularly is this what i need to remove or is there some other tricky way about it? regards Johnmate

p.s I own a 02 318i

10-20-2007, 12:49 PM	#1
jiggz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,304 My Ride: 2005 330i ZHP View My Garage	help - car won't start...battery? Turn key - dash lights, cabin lights, radio, etc. all work but that is it. Loud click click click click coming from dash - xenons flickering, etc. I've done several searches and found a # of threads with this same issue. The consensus from those threads pointed to the battery, but most were able to jump it? I tried to jump start it and still nothing. Even with a dead battery, shouldn't it start with a jump? The indicator light on the battery either isn't working, or is black (black means charge required per the manual) I guess the fact I couldn't jump it has me wondering if it's something else? The car is a 2001 with the original battery. Thanks in advance, Jeff

10-20-2007, 02:22 PM	#4
DBLAZE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North & South Jersey! Posts: 2,357 My Ride: is Fern Green! View My Garage	This sounds like a battery problem to me also. Check the connections and try to jump it again; but chances are you will have to just change out the battery. __________________ BMW E63 (Jet Black w/Chateau Red Interior, Sport Pkg, Cold Pkg, Nav, Logic 7) -20" Status 931 Staggered Wheels (Black Lip) -Continental ExtremeContact DWS XL Tires -AC Schnitzer Pedals/Footrest -Lumma Roof Spoiler (Painted) -50% Smoke Window Tint -5W Kaibird LED Angel Eyes -Black Vinyl Corner Overlays -K&N Air Filter Fern Green 323ci - SOLD

10-26-2007, 06:50 PM	#17
VALMONT The De46vil's Army Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: So Cal Posts: 21,082 My Ride: 325Ci, Passat View My Garage	get a BOSCH battery cost 110.00 same exact size and shape as factory available at pepboys __________________ Garage Queen Last edited by VALMONT; 10-26-2007 at 06:57 PM.

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10-20-2007, 12:57 PM	#2
bmwbun Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CO Posts: 1,956 My Ride: Pre-facelift Coupe View My Garage	This just happened to me a week ago. Click, click, click and lots of burrrring and humming from the dash. At first when I tried jump starting it didn't work. But after I improved the jumper cable connections (by digging the clamp teeth into the terminals better) I was successful in jump starting the car. There is much data here on replacement batteries. Search on: Everstart 48-3 Duralast 94R-DLG Duralast 48-DL Duralast 49-DL All of these batteries will work in your car. You need to be aware there is a vent off your battery because it is in your trunk. The batteries I mentioned have venting.

10-20-2007, 02:19 PM	#3
techjunkie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 46 My Ride: 330Xi View My Garage	I dont normally like the "shotgun" approach of replacing parts until the problem goes away but if you have a 2001 battery and your having electrical problems, replace it. You should be able to jump start the car with a dead battery but sometimes there are internal shorts in the plates of the battery which could make it worse than no battery! Check the connections at the battery and at the starter if you can find the damn thing, I have no idea where my starter is. And get a digital voltmeter, they are not expensive. You should have about 12.6 volts DC on your battery with the car not running. Good luck.

10-20-2007, 03:32 PM	#5
jiggz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,304 My Ride: 2005 330i ZHP View My Garage	Thanks for the replies guys. I tried to jump it a 2nd time and it worked. Obviously my neighbor and I didn't have a good connection the first time Got it started -> off to autozone -> checked it -> dead -> replaced with Duralast 49-DL-> good to go

10-21-2007, 12:48 PM	#8
stink Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: md Posts: 4 My Ride: 325xi View My Garage	Heh, my battery just died today also... Thanks for the tips - looks like I am off to autozone for a 49-D

10-25-2007, 06:46 PM	#11
YuCrew Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Avon CT Posts: 1 My Ride: Volvo & MB View My Garage	I think the DL means Duralast.

10-26-2007, 02:06 PM	#12
shine330ci Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: long island, NY Posts: 42 My Ride: 2001 330ci,1988 325e View My Garage	Go with the Duralast 49-DL, I just installed on my 2001 330ci $ 79.99 plus taxes, dealer price was $132.22 plus taxes does comes with the vent tube . It's a little longer and little shorter, you will have to remove the little white plastic that holds the original battery in place and add small spacer to hold the battery down, I used plastic but you can also use wood.... It;'s a good battery 2 years free replacement and 7 years warranty. Good luck Shine 330ci 2001 BMW 330ci with 49, 900 miles 1988 BMW 325e with 181.000 miles 1979 Fiat Spider with 63,000 miles ( my summer drive )

10-26-2007, 03:17 PM	#14
bmwbun Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CO Posts: 1,956 My Ride: Pre-facelift Coupe View My Garage	I think it is funny how we all have the same battery compartment and how some are able to drop in a 49-DL with no problem, while others have it riding on the white spacer, while others have to remove the spacer, while some have to put a spacer under the paddle clamp and others don't. There must be some ugly installations out there, batteries flopping around.... I think the sum total of your 49-DL comments are contradictory and in the end make it confusing for the person who is looking for a battery replacement. I know it did for me a few weeks ago. Turns out that I ended up going with a different solution than the 49-DL that was cheaper and had fewer installation issues.

10-26-2007, 06:28 PM	#15
ougeta Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: detroit Posts: 8 My Ride: 2000 323cic View My Garage	I just had the same problem 2 days ago, searched for a battery. Cheapest I found was at a parts store for $95 so i called up the dealer and got one under discount for $118. I think i saved around 15%. So Good luck

04-28-2008, 12:41 AM	#19
JohnMate Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Soon to be Brisbane Posts: 1,648 My Ride: VANISHED View My Garage	this may seem completely retarded and by all means call me what you like under the sun but its better to be sure then balls it up and end up costing me a small fortune. How do you remove the battery the metal bar over mine with the support plate is bolted in excessively tight for something that is removed semi regularly is this what i need to remove or is there some other tricky way about it? regards Johnmate p.s I own a 02 318i