Warning Lights

M

marcop123

Member
My e86 is fairly new to me, i didn’t notice the warning lights previously but I had issues with the battery and whilst troubleshooting determining the battery was at fault it had ran flat and I required to jump start it 3-5 times. I replaced the battery and paid more attention to the warning lights as was aware battery light was on and expected it to go out. I’m now faced with the warning lights in the image. A quick mechanic chat asked how I jump started which was directly on the battery in the boot but I was advised it should have been in the front in the engine area there should be terminals to do so but I wasn’t aware of this and on looking I don’t see jump terminals in engine bay but he advising could screw electrics and tie in my warning lights. Any advice on this lights and route to determine if indeed somethings fried ?
Since battery change the car started perfectly every time and no indication of any issues but my MOT is due and told it will fail with these lights :-(
 

Attachments

  • 599D42DA-AACE-4D31-B375-16F78D398EC5.jpeg
    599D42DA-AACE-4D31-B375-16F78D398EC5.jpeg
    115.6 KB · Views: 432
I should add after reading a little more this lights is on the 2nd turn of ignition but on starting the engine the lights immediately go off, is this normal ? Do I still have a problem ?
 
Lights should be on at first click with the key,ignition on, when the engine is started the lights with exception to the handbrake warning light should go out. Just check that you still have full heating blower control and that the radio works as flat batteries can cause the car to set itself into Transport Mode that closes some of the elctrical systems down to preserve power for starting. Transport mode can be reset to Normal mode using BMW Scanner 1.4 diagnostics system on a laptop plugged into the OBD2 socket.
 
@colb ok thanks I think I was just in a confusion panic with the lights it didn’t concern me as no lights on when engine running and the cars too much fun to query lights :D it seems the set of lights I have in photo on initial turn of key is normal and again normal should all go out on starting engine.
It was a bad experience battery issues as prior to happening I had car in Audio workshop in a failed attempt to get the prior to me owning custom Jehnert sound system going, the speakers were all there but missing amp so installation of amp coincided with battery failure but extensive troubleshooting ruled it to be the battery but was still strange coincidence also it it tested excellent health a couple months prior also it was a 2019 battery but all tests ruled the battery so been a long saga and if I did now screw the electrics by wrongly jumping the battery instead of engine terminals it would send me over the edge :rofl:
 
It sounds like you'll be OK.

Probably too late now but the charging/jumping terminals under the bonnet are on the bulkhead behind the engine - the Positive one should have a red plastic cover.

There are a couple of photos in here showing where they are. I know the photos are of an E89 but E85/6s have them in the same place!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82459&start=30
 
@mrtidy thanks, being a fairly new driver this was news to me jumping in engine bay! And hopefully all is good but lights definitely all go out on engine start up and others have posted the lights on the 1st key turn consistent with my lights. So sounds all ok. I did buy one of them mobile jump starts and only used that when jump starting but now knowing need to jump from bonnet these are no use as cables only short so can’t it appears use if I need again
 
I used one of those "jumper packs" on my car when the battery died last year.

While the cables on mine were also too short to use both posts under the bonnet I just found another bolt head for the Earth.
 
It's funny how many people get nervous about unexpected lights and noises on their new BMW, something to do with repair costs maybe! I remember panicking when a shrill alarm went off, I think it turned out to be the ice warning :lol:

BTW looking at your picture you have a big dial on the right, if it goes past 4 or 5 there may be some noise and unsettling movement, don't panic just enjoy :driving:
 
Ha yeah it was moments of panic mostly due to mechanics response about electrics but I hadn’t mentioned key only first turn or that lights actually went out when engine turned over :)
Continuous learning :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom