[jhanford1]

Originally Posted by AlpineEcstasy

Forgot to add this in op:

edit - also, on the first day of coming out of storage, the radiator fan wasn't spinning...but it is now. Could be related?

I don't know enough about the computer, but it might be smart enough to not run the fan to save the charge (assuming the engine temp isn't dangerously high). Where the hell is Don Eilenberger when you need him?!

[jhanford1]

Originally Posted by AlpineEcstasy

Great suggestion though, thanks for the input

That's why we're here! Actually, does Canada have the 10% ethanol gas we have down here? I think dry gas is basically alcohol, so condensation probably isn't the issue it used to be. I grew up in CT, and we used to dump in a bottle with every tank as insurance during the winter.

Anyway, hopefully this is all a non-issue and the M keeps running fine.

[AlpineEcstasy]

Originally Posted by jhanford1

I don't know enough about the computer, but it might be smart enough to not run the fan to save the charge (assuming the engine temp isn't dangerously high). Where the hell is Don Eilenberger when you need him?!

Yeah I was thinking what you are, the car was just taken out of storage so obviously temps were really low. And it's been on ever since, with no overheating problems.

Where the hell is Eilenberger? I need his knowledge.

[05silverM3]

Originally Posted by AlpineEcstasy

- battery wasn't charged all winter, and when first starting my car the dash lights are dim

I think that was the key point. If you didn't use a battery tender and didn't drive the car every few weeks to recharge the battery, I am amazed that even started at all (i.e., dead or mostly dead battery). IIRC, our batteries do not take kindly to being discharged and cannot be recharged to full capacity if they have been drained substantially. You may want to have the battery tested, and consider replacing it with a new battery, preferably with one that takes better to discharge/recharge cycles (if you are planning on not driving the car for extended periods of time, as in the winter, and not using a battery tender).
-

[ianmason]

Have you jumped it? Maybe it just didn't have enough juice? Didn't run it long enough? I don't know, seems strange.

How many miles, what have you done to it?

[05silverM3]

Oh, and one more thing, I remember reading that a weak battery makes things hard on the alternator, possibly causing its premature wear.
-

[lmtfi]

Originally Posted by AlpineEcstasy

Car was in a heated garage all winter, warm enough that I could wear a t-shirt and not be cold.

I don't see the relevance of the garage's temp. If you didn't trickle charge the battery - it just sat for months with a draw on the battery from the car's systems. You do realize that the car DOES use power from the battery when it sits - right?

[bmer1]

its the battery that happened to me a month ago i didnt drive my car for about a month and it started all good drove for about 6-10 miles but when i stopped at a gas station i dindt have the same luck one of my friends came and we jumped the car and the same story when i got home i was lucky that it was only the battery cause a friend of mine experienced the same problems and had to replace the alternator.

[AlpineEcstasy]

Originally Posted by lmtfi

I don't see the relevance of the garage's temp. If you didn't trickle charge the battery - it just sat for months with a draw on the battery from the car's systems. You do realize that the car DOES use power from the battery when it sits - right?

Cars temp was in reference to a previous question asking about hot/cold cycles and water forming.

And I unplugged the battery and just let it sit in the trunk, so there was never any draw. But when I start, the dash lights are dim and the car seems a bit down on power in general. The engine starts up right away, but doesn't have the same perk it did last summer.

Not having any lights on the dash makes me think it might be a dead or nearly dead battery.


Sorry guys, I'd have codes for you (if any) since I bought a reader from a member a month ago but I'm still waiting for it to arrive.

[AlpineEcstasy]

Originally Posted by bmer1

its the battery that happened to me a month ago i didnt drive my car for about a month and it started all good drove for about 6-10 miles but when i stopped at a gas station i dindt have the same luck one of my friends came and we jumped the car and the same story when i got home i was lucky that it was only the battery cause a friend of mine experienced the same problems and had to replace the alternator.

Here's hoping it's the battery. Another hour or so and I'm leaving work to go to an auto store and get my battery tested.