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Thread: Completely dead, no electrical power,

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Binghamton, NY
    Posts
    61

    Default Completely dead, no electrical power,

    Hi,

    I did a search and didn't find anything, so I apologize in advance if this problem is common and I should have found it.

    I have a '90 535i that suddenly has no electrical power whatsoever. Everything was fine on Monday, but when I tried to start it on Friday it was completely dead. Not even a click when i went to start it, no interior lights, nothing. I should mention that I checked and nothing was left on, and I have never had any sign at all that the battery was losing power.

    I put a battery charger on it today but there is still NOTHING. Is there some sort of fuse or relay that controls the entire electrical system? Could there be a bad ground? If so, where is the likely ground problem?

    Thanks in advance,
    - Hal

    1995 325i 5-speed, 113K - Now

    1984 325e 5-Speed, 2001 325i 5-Speed, 1995 530i 5-Speed, 1989 535iA, 1997 540i 6-Speed, 1990 535i 5-Speed, 1996 328is 5-Speed - Past

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Reading, UK
    Posts
    1,853

    Default

    Quite frequently these cars fracture their battery fuse links, have a look at this.

    Are you handy with a multimeter?

    Check the voltage on the starter motor terminals before you put the key in the ignition... and see what happens when you move the ignition switch through to ACC.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    New Forest, ,UK,
    Posts
    794

    Default

    Fusable links, check out bruno`s net,if you have power at battery,thats a good bet.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Binghamton, NY
    Posts
    61

    Default

    Thanks! I hope I'll have time to look at the fusible link(s) before the weekend. If not it will have to wait until then. I'll keep you all informed.
    - Hal

    1995 325i 5-speed, 113K - Now

    1984 325e 5-Speed, 2001 325i 5-Speed, 1995 530i 5-Speed, 1989 535iA, 1997 540i 6-Speed, 1990 535i 5-Speed, 1996 328is 5-Speed - Past

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Posts
    676

    Default

    When's the last time you replaced the huge (and pricey) battery?
    1990 Islandgrun 535iM Sedan

    3k oil changes | Euro lights + trim | Eibach/Bilstein | EAT Chip

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Binghamton, NY
    Posts
    61

    Default

    I have not replaced the battery in the 4 years that I've owned the car. My thought was that batteries typically show some signs of weakening, while this one seemed normal (no issues) on Tuesday and then was COMPLETELY dead on Friday. I checked and I left nothing electrical on. Before I do anything else I will certainly check the battery.

    Thanks
    - Hal

    1995 325i 5-speed, 113K - Now

    1984 325e 5-Speed, 2001 325i 5-Speed, 1995 530i 5-Speed, 1989 535iA, 1997 540i 6-Speed, 1990 535i 5-Speed, 1996 328is 5-Speed - Past

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Reading, UK
    Posts
    1,853

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hlenoble
    I have not replaced the battery in the 4 years that I've owned the car. My thought was that batteries typically show some signs of weakening, while this one seemed normal (no issues) on Tuesday and then was COMPLETELY dead on Friday. I checked and I left nothing electrical on. Before I do anything else I will certainly check the battery.

    Thanks
    Tues --> Fri is plenty of time for a knackered battery to just drop dead.

    Quite often on smaller batteries they're fine one day, but wont start the car the next morning...

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