need help, car problem.

[txz4]

So my cars has been a little slow to start lately, but yesterday it got worse, much worse. I was walking out to my car and I pressed the windows down button, I got in and put in the key, turned the key then all the lights and instruments went dead. Slowly, about a minute later, the lights started to come. On like a dimmer switch. finally it started. I took another stop after that and it was trying to start but wouldn't catch. Until finally on the second try it started with the help of the gas pedal catching it before it could die.

Sorry about all. The text errors, I'm on my phone.

[Finnegan]

Original battery still in the car? If so, it's probably gone. Get it checked (or check it yourself if you have the right equipment).

[gferil]

^Yep, what that guy said :-)

Sounds like the same symptoms I had before I replaced my battery.

[davesz4mc]

Give me a call if you need a hand with anything!

[txz4]

Originally Posted by davesz4mc

Give me a call if you need a hand with anything!

Thanks man! speaking of help, do you have that link to the parts i need to order for the valve adjustment?

In regards to the battery, i replaced it some months ago with an AGM battery. Granted i havent been driving the car much lately due to the horrid weather that we had been having, im not so sure its the car not having been driven much thats causing the battery.

Just to be more specific (now that im off my phone), i lowered my cars windows yesterday on the way to my car. I got in the car, and turned the key. Heard a little pop and then all the lights and instruments went dead. About a minute and a half later as im sitting in the car sulking (), the lights started to flicker and come back in the interior like a dimmer switch being turned up. I crossed my fingers and the car finally started.

I went straight from there to the store, when i came out i tried to start the car, it sounded strong but wouldnt turn over. I gave it a second and waited till the moment felt right () and then i tried again and it turned over, it almost died but i caught it with the gas pedal and nursed it back to health. It seems fine today but im just not sure.

Maybe not worth mentioning, but i was driving in the rain last week and i noticed that twice when my windshield wipers flicked, my dash lit up like a christmas tree for a blink of an eye, if you weren't looking at the dash at the time, you would have missed it. thoughts?

[txz4]

okay guys, I have a feeling that the problem is my negative battery terminal lead. It looks like their is some mild corrosion preventing me from getting the lead snug. has anyone replaced the lead clamp on their M?

[jmillet]

Valve adjustment links:
http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=113415
http://www.bmpdesign.com/technical/e46_valve_adj_p1.php

Originally Posted by txz4

Thanks man! speaking of help, do you have that link to the parts i need to order for the valve adjustment?

SNIP

[WestCDA]

It doesn't sound like a bad battery. The fact that the lights 'fade out' and then eventually the car starts means there is enough amperage in the battery to crank the starter - which is way more than enough to power the lights and other low amperage draws.

Sound exactly like a poor electrical connection. If you have corrosion on the terminals, clean or replace them.

[txz4]

^makes the most sense, at this point i think your right.

Originally Posted by jmillet

Valve adjustment links:
http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=113415
http://www.bmpdesign.com/technical/e46_valve_adj_p1.php

Thanks for the link!

[txz4]

If anyone is interested, the part numbers for the negative terminal cable and the nut that holds it are:

negative cable:61127837229
Flange Nut:07143413174