Electrically dead Z3

nickparker

Newbie
Joined
Mar 25, 2023
Points
3
Asking for a friend.... he has a 98 2.8 litre Z3 soft top. Was working fine, has had a winter in storage and now won't turn over, no dash lights, no running lights. Anything requiring electricity is dead. Battery is 6 months old and has been checked and found to be fine. Any obvious checks recommended before getting a garage involved? Many thanks
 

Woodsta888

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 18, 2012
Points
74
Location
Exmouth, Devon
Model of Z
2.0
Hi,

How was the battery checked? How many volts is it showing? Should be +15v. Cranking amps may be too low left in it, but even then, you'd still get some lights on the dash. Checked the fuses?
 

Zephyr

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Aug 10, 2022
Points
136
Scan it with an obd. Most effective way to troubleshoot.
 

nickparker

Newbie
Joined
Mar 25, 2023
Points
3
Hi,

How was the battery checked? How many volts is it showing? Should be +15v. Cranking amps may be too low left in it, but even then, you'd still get some lights on the dash. Checked the fuses?
Thanks. Not yet. Is there a major fuse which could stop all electrics working?
 

Zephyr

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Aug 10, 2022
Points
136
Thanks. No OBD available and can't get it to a garage
Does the car have a remote lock/unlock remote?
If yes try unlocking the door with the key.
does it lock? (Both doors).
if it does, unlock it -two times- unlock once and repeat once again. (May unlock the ecu if it is “frozen”).
if the car doesnt lock (both doors) this is primary a battery issue.
please check again the battery, and try to charge it. Most of the times it is just the battery.

also, there is a plug in the front (under the hood/bonnet) a red one on the left side when you look the car from the front.
plug a positive cable there and a negative to the round screw on the wing/fender side. And check voltage from there.
if it is under 12ish try to send power from another car to these plugs and try again.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Asking for a friend.... he has a 98 2.8 litre Z3 soft top. Was working fine, has had a winter in storage and now won't turn over, no dash lights, no running lights. Anything requiring electricity is dead. Battery is 6 months old and has been checked and found to be fine. Any obvious checks recommended before getting a garage involved? Many thanks
Where are you located? In case there is a member close enough to help. Have you tried with jump leads from a running vehicle?

Tony.
 

nickparker

Newbie
Joined
Mar 25, 2023
Points
3
Does the car have a remote lock/unlock remote?
If yes try unlocking the door with the key.
does it lock? (Both doors).
if it does, unlock it -two times- unlock once and repeat once again. (May unlock the ecu if it is “frozen”).
if the car doesnt lock (both doors) this is primary a battery issue.
please check again the battery, and try to charge it. Most of the times it is just the battery.

also, there is a plug in the front (under the hood/bonnet) a red one on the left side when you look the car from the front.
plug a positive cable there and a negative to the round screw on the wing/fender side. And check voltage from there.
if it is under 12ish try to send power from another car to these plugs and try again.
Will give that a whirl tomorrow, thanks
 

nickparker

Newbie
Joined
Mar 25, 2023
Points
3
Where are you located? In case there is a member close enough to help. Have you tried with jump leads from a running vehicle?

Tony.
In Cardiff. No haven't tried jump leads as the battery is sound and not even the interior light work
 
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