Help!! New symptoms - M35 Wont Start :(

[Beth1433]

First my car was hesitating when I started it, so I put fuel injector cleaner in. It didn't help. Still continued with the rough start. It did this about a week. Now it won't start at all. Went to start it, pushed the button, and the headlights and dash lights turned on. I couldn't get them to turn off for about an hour. When I push the button, it just clicks. When I blow the horn, it sounds like it's dying. My battery is only 2 years old.

I've had it back from the bodyshop for 2 weeks. They replaced the headlight. Do you think it could have something to do with that?

It has 120,000 miles. I maintain it like clock work, except for belts that I need to replace.

Any ideas????? Also, does anyone know where I can get something to hook to my laptop to do run diagnostics?

Any help please!!!

[White-Rush]

my thoughts is that it's something related to the battery. Keep in mind that just because your battery is 2 years old, it could have been sitting on a shelf for much longer. I won't go as far as saying it's the battery, but it may be. My car sat for 6 months in my garage and I had to replace my battery when I got back in it. That battery only had been in use 3 months longer than yours.

None the less, get the battery and elect. system checked, because that sounds like where your problem is coming from.

GL

[06M4.5]

+2 bodyshops are known as battery killers

check the battery first.

[Beth1433]

I'll check the battery. Thanks guys!

[splix]

It sounds like your battery terminals are either dirty or lose. I had the same exact thing happening to my M for a little while. Dash lights are very weak, car wont start when you press the button, etc. When it happened to me again, I poped the hood, checked the battery, moved the terminal and it sparked. Once that happened, everything came to life like it should. Checking it further revealed that the terminal was just lose on the battery, not allowing for full and clean power.

Pull your terminals off, use some 80 grit sand paper for a few second on both the battery and inside of the terminal rings. Reattach and tighten them down 100%.

[Beth1433]

Thanks splix!! I'm trying it right now. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Beth1433]

Thank you guys so much. I had given up thinking the battery was the issue. I did exactly what Splix said. Got a jump and it started. You guys saved me $$$$$.

[splix]

Cool. Glad I could help.