[JBE90335]

Hey guys, just looking for suggestions on what the problem might be. Here is basically what happened...I washed the car, afterwards it wouldn't start. A few minutes later I eventually got it to start and the trans. malfunction light came on. Drove the car and it wouldn't go out of second gear (steptronic function wouldn't work). Restarted it after class and it had a rough crank but no trans. light. Got home okay, a few hours later go to start it again and it wouldn't turn on at all eventually showing low battery light. Had to call and get a jump, cranked up fine afterwards but now the SES light was on. Took it to Autozone got the batt. and everything tested, everything was fine the guy said it was the car's charging system. Tonight I start the car to go to class, a slight rough start but no lights on or anything and drove fine. Also now when I first start the car I hear slight static over the speakers. I'm really boggled as to what it could be. Have an apt. with the dealer monday but was seeing if you guys had any suggestions The comfort access will lock the car but wont unlock it but only on the drivers side, the drivers window won't automatically inch up whenever I close the door. I'm really confused.

[mike3000fl]

Sounds like a bad battery. the car will do funky shit.

You had it tested though so I dont know.

Maybe buy one at walmart, test the car with it , then return it if it doesn't fix the issues.

[nogard13]

My WAG would be the alternator. The dude that tested the battery told you it could be the charging system, and that's the main component. I've had electrical issues in the past that traced to either a bad alternator or a polarized battery. The dealer should be able to read the codes and diagnose it better, tho.

[CJ421]

Yeah I'd imagine the alternator could be a culprit, especially if the battery tested fine.

The alternator died abruptly on my Subaru - rough idle, all kinds of dash lights. Battery was in normal condition.

[EngineCo52]

stuff like this was happening to my friends E46 and it was all from her having a bad ignition switch O_o so weird lol

[Surly73]

By "washed the car" do you mean you hand-washed it in your driveway or you went through a high pressure automated wash of some sort?

[blingman]

Get the SES light read for codes. When I had rough crank and start problem, had it crank it 3-4 times before it finally started, then idled roughly. Never drove it out because I didnt want to get stranded, but battery eventually died from all the cranking. Got battery tested, it showed good but was really low, so got it charged. I assumed it was either alternator or IBS sensor. Based on the SES light, I decided to replace both vanos and car started right up and idled smoothly and drove great.

[JBE90335]

thanks for the feedback guys. I replaced the battery today for the hell of it and now everything works perfectly. Thank god that's all it was