👋 Hello! (new participant alert)

[fatlad]

Hi Everyone! First-time caller here! ☺. I've owned my 5-speed 2000 E36/8 since—2000. We're now almost at 200,000 miles together, so I'm the guy to ask about Z high mileage! I do apologize, but this is an introduction and a question at the same time. A few days ago, I drove to my office (Philadelphia), parked, and after a few hours came out to find the car dead. Completely dead. No dome lights, no dash lights, no clicks—nothing. We tried jumping it with no results (the current battery is just over a month old), and I'm told this series of BMWs didn't come with the IBS (intelligent battery sensor) as a feature. Does anyone know if there's a master fuse somewhere—for the whole car's electrical system? I'll be grateful for any insights. Thanks!

 

[Althulas]

Hi and welcome from me.

Have you checked that the battery has charge and that the terminals are secured? I can’t remember from memory if the positive battery lead has a inline fuse there is no master fuse I can recall. As it’s strange that the dome light does not come on at least I would start with visual of the battery earth is grounded.

 

[fatlad]

Thanks! I've checked the battery, but maybe not all the way up to the posts inside the hood— which is where we attempted the failed jumpstart. Prior to this, the car had been driven daily with no incident. There was this intermittent/infrequent electrical smell that I hadn't quite located or figured out yet ... . It's cold and dark. I'll be back on it tomorrow.

 

[t-tony]

Possibly the main front to rear battery lead corroded inside the floor. Heard about this one before.

Tony.

ps..Welcome from me near Lincoln UK.

 

[Shelly]

 

[Zephyr]

anyone knows @IanA who had a similar issue?
can he tell how he got it sorted?

 

[IanA]

How many volts are you seeing at:
1. the battery
2. the busbar under the fuse box - get to it behind the glove box. That tests the 200A feed
3. with the lead at 2 disconnected, the jump points under the bonnet. That tests the 300A feed to the starter.

total electrical power loss

Hi having got back from small run in my 2002 z3 2.2 I turned the ignition off, as I did i heard some thing on the radio and tried to turn it on again but had no power. removed ignition key and retried starting the car, not a flicker of power any where. Checked battery and leads all ok, opened...

zroadster.org

Z3 Battery Cable Route

Have a look in the 6 “slots” around the centre (like between the M and the W in the picture) perhaps you could put a hook behind one of the lugs maybe? Tony.

zroadster.org

 

[ExMX5owner]

Hi Everyone! First-time caller here! ☺. I've owned my 5-speed 2000 E36/8 since—2000. We're now almost at 200,000 miles together, so I'm the guy to ask about Z high mileage! I do apologize, but this is an introduction and a question at the same time. A few days ago, I drove to my office (Philadelphia), parked, and after a few hours came out to find the car dead. Completely dead. No dome lights, no dash lights, no clicks—nothing. We tried jumping it with no results (the current battery is just over a month old), and I'm told this series of BMWs didn't come with the IBS (intelligent battery sensor) as a feature. Does anyone know if there's a master fuse somewhere—for the whole car's electrical system? I'll be grateful for any insights. Thanks!

Welcome, my 99 2.0 has done 250k, and still runs sweet, just the bits and pieces bolted to it or sitting in it fail occasionally... Great little motor..

 

[Richard29]

There is a battery cut off device in the event of an accident near positive battery terminal.
I had to replace this along with the cable due to corrosion.
My car started but had an airbag light on, the code stated it was the battery cut off device.