HELP !?

[Recon427]

Alright, so I did the cooling system rebuild. Everything is back together. I turn key to accessory position, all lights come on...everything is normal. Then Turn the key to start and I get a dead silence. Nada.

Any ideas?

People are talking about 4 wires that go to the solenoid? I only had three that I took off....

I guess I will go and take the thing apart again. I have a headache the size of Mt. Everest from smelling all that throttle body cleaner and standing for the past two days in doing this rebuild.

I will check back in 30 minutes to see what you guys think.....................

[b.u.ti-ful]

Was your battery unhooked while you did the work or did you listen to the car stereo and run the battery down?

[Recon427]

I had the car shut off. I disconnected the device by the air box [that sits on the mounting bolts for the air box and has a screw type connector] before I realized I should disconnect the negative battery terminal.

However, after that I had the battery disconnected.

If it clarifies things further; I took the battery out when I was putting in that small plastic piece behind the engine block [there was a whole under the battery cover that I could maneuver my hand through and get that plastic piece on without a problem.

Would having the battery out completely screw things up?

[b.u.ti-ful]

Are you sure the negative cable is secure to the car and not rusted or loose?

[Recon427]

Yes, I had to put that in when I screwed in the battery holder. 3 bolts total. One for the negative cable and two to hold the plastic battery cover.

[spidertri]

I took my battery completely out when I did the cooling system. Make sure the alternator and starter are rewired correctly.

[Recon427]

The alternator I know I did correctly. Two cables. Blue on bottom Red on top. The cable guides actually dictate how you put them in as well.

I will check the starter.

[b.u.ti-ful]

Yeah, I remember the alt being pretty hard to mix up.

After you get this figured out I'd like to hear more about how you got your hand in back for the rear plastic tube as I will probably be doing this job this summer.

[Recon427]

Sure, I took a video describing this whole cooling system rebuild. They are actually a bunch of short clips outlining what has to be done and what to look for. But I will send you a message with the technique. There are actually two ways that are much easier than trying to reach it the conventional way.

Anyways, al;sdfkf;alsdjkf;lkasdjf;laksdjf;lak

This is stupid. I need to drive 50 miles to school tomorrow and my car is being a freaking _____________

[Bluebimma]

When you do it, install an m42 metal housing.

One way to do the rear pipe is to remove the wire loom from the cowl, along with the cowl. Also, removing the rubber engine mounts, to lower the engine into the bay, you now have access to the pipe.

[spidertri]

The rear connector is pretty easy to do. Take out the battery/battery box and the spark plug wire tray that is attached to the passenger side of the engine. I just stuck my whole arm down in the space at the rear corner of the engine and was able to easily bend my elbow/wrist and get to the rear connector. Small ratchet for the two bolts and make sure to put some RTV on the connector.

Edit - It also helps to unbolt the wiring harness that covers the microfilters for some room when putting the hoses on.

The side connector is the pita but even that is really straightforward when taking things apart, just make sure to put all the fasteners in baggies and mark what they go with.

[Bluebimma]

Thats a nice, easy, way to do it.

[Recon427]

Alright, I don't know where you guys live and get the supposed $20 towing service but I had to dish out $89 just to tow it 3 miles to the dealer.

Anyways, the starter had some bad terminal on it and basically has to be replaced.

Everything else, so far, checks out ok. Since I have classes all week and I need transportation; I am letting the dealer take care of this. I have no idea how I will come up with $700 but I guess that's the price you have to pay when owning a BMW.

Yeah, $700, you read that correctly. Apparently "parts" were about $275 and "labor" is about 3 hours.

[b.u.ti-ful]

$orry to hear that.

[Recon427]

Well, looking on the bright side:

I get to drive a 2009 328xi for the next two days

I feel like I am cheating on Anna [my 318ti] though......