Helping jumpstart another BMW

Nikki · 01-03-2008, 07:14 PM

Hey, i'm trying to help jumpstart an e46 with my e90 and I wanted to know what is the proper way to jump two BMWs?

Do I use the rear battery terminal from my car and the engine bay convenience poles from the e46?

If so, how do I access the + terminal on my battery?

Thanks in advance.

Kamando · 01-03-2008, 07:48 PM

I've jumped a couple older BMWs around here and I've always used the engine bay terminals from my car and everything has worked fine, just don't let the two cars touch and you should be fine using the engine terminals on both vehicles.

RiXst3r · 01-03-2008, 07:49 PM

I've done it from both the battery directly in the trunk and from the convienence poles under the hood. Both worked fine.

ages944 · 01-03-2008, 07:55 PM

Don't connect to the battery in the trunk, use the posts in the engine bay instead. If anything, it's just easier than digging around in the trunk. Found a procedure below. Also, you might want to wear rubber coated or other non-conductive gloves while doing this for an extra margin of safety.

http://www.carcare.org/Electrical/jump_start.shtml

bufasion · 01-03-2008, 07:55 PM

Use the terminal in E90's engine bay. It's specifically designed to give or receive a jump. The battery terminal in the trunk has a built-in pyrotechnic detonator device (I'm not kidding), not something you want to mess with.

Nikki · 01-03-2008, 07:55 PM

It didn't work using the convenience poles from both cars. I tried idling at 1k rpm and still nothing.

Taittinger · 01-03-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

It didn't work using the convenience poles from both cars. I tried idling at 1k rpm and still nothing.

He's dead, Jim.

Nikki · 01-03-2008, 08:02 PM

the interior lights go on and the power locks work, but not enough to start the car.

Nikki · 01-03-2008, 08:02 PM

maybe my e90 is just weak

lol

Kamando · 01-03-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

maybe my e90 is just weak

lol

Its not that weak

The E46 is probably dead

Taittinger · 01-03-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

maybe my e90 is just weak

lol

Could be something other than a power issue with the other car.

Nikki · 01-03-2008, 09:57 PM

like what? it's only 3 years old, 13k miles. when he starts it, it doesn't seem like it is trying to turn. i hope it is the battery.

disruptv · 01-03-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

like what? it's only 3 years old, 13k miles. when he starts it, it doesn't seem like it is trying to turn. i hope it is the battery.

could be a bad alternator or starter...my friends car had similar symptoms

btw, silly question, but did u check to make sure the wires werent crisscrossed by accident?

Nikki · 01-03-2008, 10:04 PM

yeah we did it twice.

CALIF65GM · 01-03-2008, 11:34 PM

LOL @ 3-yrs isn't the e46 still covered under Roadside Assistance?

Or call AAA, if you have AAA.

Nikki · 01-04-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALIF65GM

LOL @ 3-yrs isn't the e46 still covered under Roadside Assistance?

Or call AAA, if you have AAA.

It is and we did but it's in a low clearance garage and even though we specified that they still couldn't fit a truck in there.

We waited 2 hours and they sent a normal pick up truck but because it had a light bar on top he said it wouldn't fit. I think he was just being a pussy.

Comet · 01-04-2008, 06:31 AM

2 hours?
damn
I once got trash service from my Roadside assistance....
he wouldn't change my tyre (I didnt know Minis had spares and I didnt know how to change a tyre... :P)
and he even threatened to call the cops on me cuz my car was on the shoulder of the highway (apparently u r not allowed to have ur car there)

my service guy freaked when I told him the story and called BMW NA... got the guy fired and an apology from BMW NA

so is it still in the garage?
cldn't the roadside assistance guy do anything?

LEDZEP · 01-04-2008, 06:50 AM

Nikki? Still around eh?

nyc3r · 01-04-2008, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ages944

Don't connect to the battery in the trunk, use the posts in the engine bay instead. If anything, it's just easier than digging around in the trunk. Found a procedure below. Also, you might want to wear rubber coated or other non-conductive gloves while doing this for an extra margin of safety.

http://www.carcare.org/Electrical/jump_start.shtml

worked fine for me when i jumped a lexus. +1 on maybe the battery on the other car is done.

Chowbow · 01-04-2008, 12:22 PM

If it doesn't sound like it'll turn it's probably the starter that's dead. Unless you can hear the starter cranking and it just won't fire up... then maybe fuel pump or a host of other issues?

You can use either... Being able to jump from either end of the car is kind of convenient actually. You can jump most cars without turning your car around in a parking lot.

pacman · 01-04-2008, 12:34 PM

the battery on my GF's '98 jetta was dead (car wasnt started for over a month)... i had to jumpstart it with my friends car and it took a long time for the battery to get charged... just connect the jumper cables and turn on ur car and wait for a little bit (5-10 min) b4 u start the e46.... this worked for the jetta.

islandbimmer · 01-04-2008, 01:08 PM

I use to live in Winterpeg jump started a million vehicles every kind, it sounds like the e46 has a weak battery, you need to hook up the cables and leave them, for a while best if you rev your car up 1500-2000 rpm to try and charge the e46 battery. The best way is the portable battery packs with jump start feature they work best for dead batteries they put out a higher charge.

01-03-2008, 07:14 PM	#1
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Helping jumpstart another BMW Hey, i'm trying to help jumpstart an e46 with my e90 and I wanted to know what is the proper way to jump two BMWs? Do I use the rear battery terminal from my car and the engine bay convenience poles from the e46? If so, how do I access the + terminal on my battery? Thanks in advance. __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-03-2008, 07:48 PM	#2
Kamando Captain 56 Rep 617 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: - iTrader: (3)	I've jumped a couple older BMWs around here and I've always used the engine bay terminals from my car and everything has worked fine, just don't let the two cars touch and you should be fine using the engine terminals on both vehicles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 07:49 PM	#3
RiXst3r 274 Rep 6,510 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (14)	I've done it from both the battery directly in the trunk and from the convienence poles under the hood. Both worked fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 07:55 PM	#4
ages944 Captain 99 Rep 990 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs iTrader: (0)	Don't connect to the battery in the trunk, use the posts in the engine bay instead. If anything, it's just easier than digging around in the trunk. Found a procedure below. Also, you might want to wear rubber coated or other non-conductive gloves while doing this for an extra margin of safety. http://www.carcare.org/Electrical/jump_start.shtml __________________ BMW : Sine qua non Mods: Blacklines \| Rear Seat Power Outlets \| Rear Fog Lights \| Ashtray Garage Door Opener
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 07:55 PM	#5
bufasion Private First Class 9 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 07 E90 328xi Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: RNO iTrader: (0)	Use the terminal in E90's engine bay. It's specifically designed to give or receive a jump. The battery terminal in the trunk has a built-in pyrotechnic detonator device (I'm not kidding), not something you want to mess with.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 08:02 PM	#8
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	the interior lights go on and the power locks work, but not enough to start the car. __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 08:02 PM	#9
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	maybe my e90 is just weak lol __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 09:57 PM	#12
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	like what? it's only 3 years old, 13k miles. when he starts it, it doesn't seem like it is trying to turn. i hope it is the battery. __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 10:04 PM	#14
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	yeah we did it twice. __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-03-2008, 11:34 PM	#15
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	LOL @ 3-yrs isn't the e46 still covered under Roadside Assistance? Or call AAA, if you have AAA. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock Last edited by CALIF65GM; 01-03-2008 at 11:35 PM.. Reason: more typo
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2008, 06:31 AM	#17
Comet Troll Harder 393 Rep 596 Posts Drives: 997 GT3, 997 4 GTS, X6M Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal, Beirut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Porsche GT3 [8.00] 2012 Porsche 4 GTS [5.34]	2 hours? damn I once got trash service from my Roadside assistance.... he wouldn't change my tyre (I didnt know Minis had spares and I didnt know how to change a tyre... :P) and he even threatened to call the cops on me cuz my car was on the shoulder of the highway (apparently u r not allowed to have ur car there) my service guy freaked when I told him the story and called BMW NA... got the guy fired and an apology from BMW NA so is it still in the garage? cldn't the roadside assistance guy do anything? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2008, 06:50 AM	#18
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Nikki? Still around eh? __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2008, 12:22 PM	#20
Chowbow pew pew 166 Rep 6,781 Posts Drives: 三三五i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW 328i wagon [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i sedan [10.00] 1997 BMW 328i track ... [10.00]	If it doesn't sound like it'll turn it's probably the starter that's dead. Unless you can hear the starter cranking and it just won't fire up... then maybe fuel pump or a host of other issues? You can use either... Being able to jump from either end of the car is kind of convenient actually. You can jump most cars without turning your car around in a parking lot. __________________ CSL replicas are now CSL counterfeits. Jesus saves, like Valentine1.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2008, 12:34 PM	#21
pacman Lieutenant Colonel 40 Rep 1,913 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area,CA iTrader: (4)	the battery on my GF's '98 jetta was dead (car wasnt started for over a month)... i had to jumpstart it with my friends car and it took a long time for the battery to get charged... just connect the jumper cables and turn on ur car and wait for a little bit (5-10 min) b4 u start the e46.... this worked for the jetta. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2008, 01:08 PM	#22
islandbimmer First Lieutenant 16 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 SG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Victoria BC Canada iTrader: (1)	I use to live in Winterpeg jump started a million vehicles every kind, it sounds like the e46 has a weak battery, you need to hook up the cables and leave them, for a while best if you rev your car up 1500-2000 rpm to try and charge the e46 battery. The best way is the portable battery packs with jump start feature they work best for dead batteries they put out a higher charge.
	Appreciate 0 Quote