Start with the basics. Get your battery tested.

 

Bit of a longshot but water in the PDC unit is known to cause a number of electrical gremlins

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=22506

 

Thanks for the replies. As I already wrote, changed the battery to a new one and same problem persisted. Also, my car doesn't have parking sensors so no PDC I imagine? Thanks for the suggestions though, please keep them coming!

 

Was the new battery registered/coded to the car ? Failing to do that has been known to cause odd electrical issues too.
I assume you fitted an AGM battery since you mention stop/start.

 

I didn't code the battery, would that really cause the same issues to persist? My car hasn't got start stop feature, it just shows that on the error, as if it's not reading the clutch is pressed

 

what year/reg is your car and do you know if it has an IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor) ?

 

My car is 2005 and I have no idea whether it has an IBS. It has all the boxes on top of the battery, connected to the positive terminal, is this an indication of IBS? Thanks for the help so far!

 

If the engine isn't turning over it could be the starter solenoid. The whirring you hear being the starter spinning freely, not engaged to the engine.

 

How do I test the solenoid?

 

An experienced mechanic could probably diagnose it based on noise. Other than that, it's a case of taking off the starter motor.

 

Starter solenoid wouldn't explain the other issues though. I'm thinking I need to replace battery again and code it this time, hopefully that will make a difference.

 

My car is 2005 and I have no idea whether it has an IBS. It has all the boxes on top of the battery, connected to the positive terminal, is this an indication of IBS? Thanks for the help so far!

I think at that age it may or may not have an IBS. This question has arisen before on vehicles of that age with no definitive answer yet. Unless someone here knows better. I wouldn't rush into replacing the battery again just yet.

 

My best guess is a loose/faulty clutch position switch.

To remove the cover on my old car it was 4 screws in the panel, and an expandable rivet by the side of the centre console. Once this is removed look for the hydraulic piston attached to the clutch pedal. You can see it here faintly between items 13 & 15.

Then look on the side of it and you should see this switch. No 2.

 

Thanks Marco_Polo

I've had the cover off and got to that switch, didn't appear loose, unplugged and plugged back in just in case but no change there.

Thinking that because of the other problems it must be something other than just the clutch switch anyway?

Could the ignition assembly cause electrical issues like the one's I'm experiencing does anyone know?

 

Have you checked all your fuses and relays?

 

I've checked all fuses and all are fine. Relay wise, I'm unsure exactly how to check those. Any pointers greatly appreciated.

 

Bump

 

Hi guys

So how do I know if my car requires recoding after a new battery is installed? The indicators have now stopped flashing when I lock/unlock the car and everything points to battery. When I changed to a new battery, the same problems persisted and the car still wouldn't start but if the battery needs registering to the vehicle, could this be a reason the faults persist maybe? Any help here would be great! Really scratching my head and want my car back in my life!

 

Yes, 100% needs registering.

 

Thanks for the prompt response. Would lack of recoding cause the same problems to persist? Surrly if vaulage is high enough the electrical issues I mention would vanish??

 

Thanks for the prompt response. Would lack of recoding cause the same problems to persist? Surrly if vaulage is high enough the electrical issues I mention would vanish??

I think it needs to be coded in, so that the battery is recognised by the car. Doesn't matter how much vaultage is there if the car doesn't recognise and know how to use and distribute that power.

 

Where bouts are you Gravlad?

Some nice person local to you may be able to code it for a few beer tokens.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I appreciate the suggestion, I have just bought myself the cable needed however, so I will replace the battery again and re-code this time. Hope to see the problems disappear and the car to start first try!!

 

Fingers crossed! Let us know how u get on with the new coded battery.

 

So, the new battery is fitted and coded and the car fires up and runs now! So that's the main issue sorted. Problems with the electrics are still happening though. The brake light stays on, even when not braking and the windscreen wipers stop all together. Both problems are intermittent but when one happens, so does the other? They don't both happen to use the same relay do they? Surely not? Any help massively appreciated. Reluctant to pay somebody else to fix this for me as I'm so much closer now.