2005 Z4 Possible Battery Issue?

jwatson · 03-29-2020, 01:19 PM

I'm hoping I can find the answers to this problem because it has been stumping me for a few weeks now.

Recently I have been having problems with my 2005 Z4. The first time it happened, I was leaving from work. I got in the car, turned the ignition and the car went dead. I recognized it as the battery being drained, assuming I left a light on or something. I asked a coworker for a jump (I left my power bank at home after cleaning the car out a few days before) When I open the trunk to place the jumper cables on, the car came back to life before I could put the cables on. We both thought it was weird, but the car started back up so I figured it was a fluke. But as the days went on the problem has been more frequent. I get in the car and turn the ignition, the care dies. When I go to the battery terminal, all I have to do is wiggle one of the terminals and the car will turn back on. I had the battery checked and it is fine and fully charged. I don't know what this issue could be.

Steeler · 03-29-2020, 01:39 PM

Did the engine crank when you had the issue?
Is the transmission a manual?

jwatson · 03-29-2020, 02:20 PM

When turning the key the engine didn't crank. All power just goes out before the engine can crank at all. Now after messing with the battery terminals the car will come on and crank over. The car is not a manual.

Our03z4 · 03-29-2020, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwatson

I'm hoping I can find the answers to this problem because it has been stumping me for a few weeks now.

Recently I have been having problems with my 2005 Z4. The first time it happened, I was leaving from work. I got in the car, turned the ignition and the car went dead. I recognized it as the battery being drained, assuming I left a light on or something. I asked a coworker for a jump (I left my power bank at home after cleaning the car out a few days before) When I open the trunk to place the jumper cables on, the car came back to life before I could put the cables on. We both thought it was weird, but the car started back up so I figured it was a fluke. But as the days went on the problem has been more frequent. I get in the car and turn the ignition, the care dies. When I go to the battery terminal, all I have to do is wiggle one of the terminals and the car will turn back on. I had the battery checked and it is fine and fully charged. I don't know what this issue could be.

Just an fyi not to jump your car from the battery terminal. The proper spot is under the hood, there is a spot that has a red cover near the firewall and the ground is a large metal nut post on the drivers side.

The issue simply sounds like a loose connection or corrosion that you can't see. Take the terminal off and use a post cleaner hard. Use it also on the connector.

jwatson · 03-29-2020, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Our03z4

Just an fyi not to jump your car from the battery terminal. The proper spot is under the hood, there is a spot that has a red cover near the firewall and the ground is a large metal nut post on the drivers side.

The issue simply sounds like a loose connection or corrosion that you can't see. Take the terminal off and use a post cleaner hard. Use it also on the connector.

Thanks a lot. I will try this!

Huz-Z · 03-29-2020, 02:54 PM

Perhaps the battery connections at the terminals need tightening

jwatson · 03-29-2020, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Perhaps the battery connections at the terminals need tightening

Ive been tightening them as hard as possible. They do tend to get loose after a while thought.

3798j · 03-29-2020, 03:23 PM

Terminals need to be clean and the clamps should be tight (unable to be moved). With your comment of them loosening, I think that's where your "twist the key and it goes dead" problem is. They make battery terminal shims. Feel certain using them will allow the clamps to draw up tight.

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BA.../dp/B0060YI0YS

Your NAPA would probably have them in stock.

KevinC · 03-29-2020, 03:32 PM

Also.. how old is the battery?

jwatson · 03-29-2020, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Also.. how old is the battery?

About 3 years.

wdb · 03-30-2020, 10:01 AM

Battery terminals should not come loose on their own. And they should not be over-tightened.

JAS1169 · 03-30-2020, 07:49 PM

You opened the trunk, removed the battery cover and before you did anything else, it powered up?? This was followed up by another no power start which was corrected by moving the battery cable a bit.
If you've tried all the prior poster suggests (all sound and good advise) then you might have an issue with the power cables themselves. Prior to this starting to happen did you hear any loud bangs from your rear area.
Your red positive cable has a cut-off built into it which in an accident will cut power to prevent fire. These safety systems have, over the years been know to cause total no power and odd power problems.
Check this red wire and it's connections which are all located right next to the battery.

03-29-2020, 01:19 PM	#1
jwatson New Member 3 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW Z4 2.5i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	2005 Z4 Possible Battery Issue? I'm hoping I can find the answers to this problem because it has been stumping me for a few weeks now. Recently I have been having problems with my 2005 Z4. The first time it happened, I was leaving from work. I got in the car, turned the ignition and the car went dead. I recognized it as the battery being drained, assuming I left a light on or something. I asked a coworker for a jump (I left my power bank at home after cleaning the car out a few days before) When I open the trunk to place the jumper cables on, the car came back to life before I could put the cables on. We both thought it was weird, but the car started back up so I figured it was a fluke. But as the days went on the problem has been more frequent. I get in the car and turn the ignition, the care dies. When I go to the battery terminal, all I have to do is wiggle one of the terminals and the car will turn back on. I had the battery checked and it is fine and fully charged. I don't know what this issue could be.
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03-29-2020, 01:39 PM	#2
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,702 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Did the engine crank when you had the issue? Is the transmission a manual? __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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03-29-2020, 02:20 PM	#3
jwatson New Member 3 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW Z4 2.5i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	When turning the key the engine didn't crank. All power just goes out before the engine can crank at all. Now after messing with the battery terminals the car will come on and crank over. The car is not a manual.
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03-29-2020, 02:54 PM	#6
Huz-Z Brigadier General 846 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Perhaps the battery connections at the terminals need tightening
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03-29-2020, 03:23 PM	#8
3798j Lieutenant Colonel 11325 Rep 1,785 Posts Drives: E86 3.0si Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Susquehanna Valley iTrader: (0) Garage List '55 Ford F100 [0.00] '08 Z4 3.0SI [8.50] '66 Triumph TR4A [0.00] '85 Corvette [0.00] '64 Corvette [0.00] '68 Triumph GT6 [0.00] '19 VW Golf "R ... [0.00]	Terminals need to be clean and the clamps should be tight (unable to be moved). With your comment of them loosening, I think that's where your "twist the key and it goes dead" problem is. They make battery terminal shims. Feel certain using them will allow the clamps to draw up tight. https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BA.../dp/B0060YI0YS Your NAPA would probably have them in stock.
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03-29-2020, 03:32 PM	#9
KevinC your average JAMF 3088 Rep 4,090 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Also.. how old is the battery? __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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03-30-2020, 10:01 AM	#11
wdb dances with roads 4717 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	Battery terminals should not come loose on their own. And they should not be over-tightened.
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03-30-2020, 07:49 PM	#12
JAS1169 Private First Class 50 Rep 156 Posts Drives: BMW 2003 Z4 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA iTrader: (0)	You opened the trunk, removed the battery cover and before you did anything else, it powered up?? This was followed up by another no power start which was corrected by moving the battery cable a bit. If you've tried all the prior poster suggests (all sound and good advise) then you might have an issue with the power cables themselves. Prior to this starting to happen did you hear any loud bangs from your rear area. Your red positive cable has a cut-off built into it which in an accident will cut power to prevent fire. These safety systems have, over the years been know to cause total no power and odd power problems. Check this red wire and it's connections which are all located right next to the battery.
	Appreciate 0 Quote