HELP PLEASE! Car just died...rpm is stuck

3onDubs · 03-31-2006, 03:38 PM

I'm at work and i decide to take a break. I get in my car and start it, put it in reverse, move about two feet and the car shuts off by itself. The rpm needle stayed where it was and so did the gas needle. The lights in my car won't work and the little orange light next to the "P" on the shifter isn't even on.

My car is completely dead and i can't even open my trunk to check the battery because i have a rear view camera in the keyhole and the remote on my key is the only way.

When i turn the key, nothing happens...no noises, so i think that the problem might be bigger than my battery being dead. Does anybody have any ideas?

I need help FAST...im stuck here at work....

3onDubs · 03-31-2006, 03:39 PM

I figure that the alternator only charges the battery when the car is on, and since none of the lights work with the car off....it can't be the alternator.

The car started before it died...so i'm also figuring that the battery has charge and is not dead.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

DarquePervert · 03-31-2006, 03:42 PM

I suggest calling an automotive electrical expert.

Enforcer · 03-31-2006, 03:43 PM

get a set of jump leads and connect to the points under the bonnet and connect to another car. and see if that helps.

jcdillin · 03-31-2006, 03:44 PM

Get under the hood and check your fusebox, might be one of the master fuses, but you really need to get to your battery to be sure of anything

Enforcer · 03-31-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I suggest calling an automotive electrical expert.

nah! really!

WebDog · 03-31-2006, 03:45 PM

do you have AAA?

3onDubs · 03-31-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I suggest calling an automotive electrical expert.

I'm calling all of the electrical experts i know right now....the mp3car electrical experts...lol.

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

get a set of jump leads and connect to the points under the bonnet and connect to another car. and see if that helps.

What's a bonnet? My battery is in my trunk and i can't open it, but i think there is a way to jump my car from under the hood...is that the bonnet ur talking about? If so, where the negative (i found the positive already).

Quote: Originally Posted by jcdillin

Get under the hood and check your fusebox, might be one of the master fuses, but you really need to get to your battery to be sure of anything

I just had an idea. If i jumper cable my car from another car or the AAA truck, won't that give me enough power to pop my trunk with the remote?

If there is a bad ground and that's the cause, what would happen if i tried to jump it?

Quote: Originally Posted by WebDog

do you have AAA?

My gf does....she's on her way, but i wish i could diagnose the problem before calling the AAA guy so that i can know if they'd be able to help.

RedGTiVR6 · 03-31-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

get a set of jump leads and connect to the points under the bonnet and connect to another car. and see if that helps.

do the beemers have jumper points under the hood since the battery is in the truck?

(I vaguely remember something about this)

3onDubs · 03-31-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

do the beemers have jumper points under the hood since the battery is in the truck?

(I vaguely remember something about this)

Yeah, they do...i remember the dealer telling me this when i bought the car, but i can only seem to find the positive terminal.

RedGTiVR6 · 03-31-2006, 03:57 PM

google? beemer forum? owners manual?

WebDog · 03-31-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 3onDubs

What's a bonnet? My battery is in my trunk and i can't open it, but i think there is a way to jump my car from under the hood...is that the bonnet ur talking about? If so, where the negative (i found the positive already).

Your whole car is negative just clamp it to the engine block or exposed frame.

DarquePervert · 03-31-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Yeah, they do...i remember the dealer telling me this when i bought the car, but i can only seem to find the positive terminal.

Red jumper to positive lead. Black jumper to the chassis or some other grounding point.

3onDubs · 03-31-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

google? beemer forum? owners manual?

Im on a BMW forum right now as well and i posted the same thread...lol. I'm not attacking the people on that site im on, but they don't give much help. The only answers i got were...."battery???" and "alternator?"....lol.

The owner's manual is at my house and i'm here...(as i look for the

smiley only to realize that mp3car.com doesn't have it)

3onDubs · 03-31-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Red jumper to positive lead. Black jumper to the chassis or some other grounding point.

For sure....thanks a lot. I've always seen people jump cars off both battery terminals, but i wondered if it was necessary with the negative since the battery is grounded to the chasis anyway.

Do you think it's safe to jump if the problem is a bad ground? I don't think that's the problem, but just in case.