Problem with 04' 545i

X7TIGER · 03-05-2010, 08:41 PM

Hey guys, first of all sorry for posting in the wrong section, need help fast and the 5 series forum had only 7 current views.

My brother's 2004 BMW 545i is having a problem right now, it won't start. When ever we try to start it we hear 3-4 ticks and that's it. After the ticks all of the symbols in the speedometer come up. What could be the problem? Could it be the alternator?

Is there a way to get around it right now? We tried charging the battery but that didn't work either since the lights do turn on.

Please help.

3lusive · 03-05-2010, 08:56 PM

Take it to the dealer?

one 35i · 03-05-2010, 10:21 PM

Take battery and have checked. Sounds like it is not holding a charge.

Buegie · 03-05-2010, 11:03 PM

Can you jump start it? There may be enough of a charge to power the lights, but not enough to get the engine started.

ncarter124 · 03-05-2010, 11:35 PM

Dead battery. The clicking is the starter solenoid most likely.

persian54 · 03-06-2010, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X7TIGER

Hey guys, first of all sorry for posting in the wrong section, need help fast and the 5 series forum had only 7 current views.

My brother's 2004 BMW 545i is having a problem right now, it won't start. When ever we try to start it we hear 3-4 ticks and that's it. After the ticks all of the symbols in the speedometer come up. What could be the problem? Could it be the alternator?

Is there a way to get around it right now? We tried charging the battery but that didn't work either since the lights do turn on.

Please help.

Just because it can turn the lights on doesn't mean it has enough juice to turn the whole car on

smmmurf · 03-06-2010, 05:14 AM

Try jump starting it.

fatjoez · 03-06-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Try jump starting it.

dude "stop global warming" bumper sticker on an m3 lol. classic

X7TIGER · 03-06-2010, 10:58 AM

Well I tried jump starting it but that didn't work either, I hooked up the + to the charge and had the - on the body. I know they say the - should be connected to the engine block to jump start a stalled vehicle.

Should I take the engine plastic cover off then try jump starting it?

smmmurf · 03-06-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatjoez

dude "stop global warming" bumper sticker on an m3 lol. classic

BMW Efficient Dynamics baby.

Cerezo · 03-06-2010, 08:24 PM

"all of the symbols in the speedometer" sounds like the alternator problem.

bogdan · 03-10-2010, 08:51 AM

The culperate is a battery more than likely. Alternators do not fail that often these days.

When jump starting a vehicle, you need to make sure you have the negative cable on a good ground. A painted bolt will not suffice, there is a hook on the front of the engine that could work. There is also a grounding nut on the body that can be used as well. Make sure you have a powerful battery pack, and it's fully charged.

03-05-2010, 08:41 PM	#1
X7TIGER Registered 3 Rep 2 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Problem with 04' 545i - NEED HELP FAST Hey guys, first of all sorry for posting in the wrong section, need help fast and the 5 series forum had only 7 current views. My brother's 2004 BMW 545i is having a problem right now, it won't start. When ever we try to start it we hear 3-4 ticks and that's it. After the ticks all of the symbols in the speedometer come up. What could be the problem? Could it be the alternator? Is there a way to get around it right now? We tried charging the battery but that didn't work either since the lights do turn on. Please help.
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03-05-2010, 08:56 PM	#2
3lusive Captain 23 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 2013 MINI JCW Hardtop Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8)	Take it to the dealer?
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03-05-2010, 10:21 PM	#3
one 35i Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 240 Posts Drives: CSM/terra Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sold iTrader: (3)	Take battery and have checked. Sounds like it is not holding a charge.
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03-05-2010, 11:03 PM	#4
Buegie Captain 51 Rep 714 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CT/DC iTrader: (2)	Can you jump start it? There may be enough of a charge to power the lights, but not enough to get the engine started. __________________ Black Dakota \| Aluminum \| Sport \| Premium \| Cold \| iDrive \| CA
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03-05-2010, 11:35 PM	#5
ncarter124 Second Lieutenant 47 Rep 220 Posts Drives: A lot of them Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0)	Dead battery. The clicking is the starter solenoid most likely.
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03-06-2010, 05:14 AM	#7
smmmurf Colonel 401 Rep 2,198 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 357k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Stanford, CA iTrader: (7)	Try jump starting it.
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03-06-2010, 10:58 AM	#9
X7TIGER Registered 3 Rep 2 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Well I tried jump starting it but that didn't work either, I hooked up the + to the charge and had the - on the body. I know they say the - should be connected to the engine block to jump start a stalled vehicle. Should I take the engine plastic cover off then try jump starting it?
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03-06-2010, 08:24 PM	#11
Cerezo Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 08 TL Type-S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	"all of the symbols in the speedometer" sounds like the alternator problem.
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