I'm too low; my car won't start?
 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...4_at_18_22.jpg

Sorry for the poor quality, but I just spent hours fixing the wheel gap problem to find this. I put the car back altogether to see how low I am and bam or pffft, my car doesn't start. I want to fix the height, but now I can't even run to the store to get a low profile jack. My head is too racked to troubleshoot the problem after spending too much time with allen and box end wrenches that should just take a regular socket.

Anyway, i think it has to do with the starter because the battery works fine. Just as soon as I turn the key, I hear nothing. Its like I tried to start it without pressing the clutch in...

Is there a grandpa in my engine thats says, "Your car is too low to get out of the garage!" I'm just in deep despair right now... :cry:

bump; cuz i'm desperate

You knocked the starter leads off.

Where are those?

Is it an easy fix?

How can I prevent it next time?

A. The battery may not have enough juice to run the starter. You electrical systems can still work in this case. It takes a deeper cycle to operate the starter. Try charging it. If you do, or you try to jump it off, remember don't use both terminals, always connect neg to bare metal to ground. You will blow fuses. Check fuses anyway

B. If that doesn't work, your starter solenoid may be bad. Locate starter, I have an r56 so I'm not much help there, its probably buried under the intake I am sure there is a forum post showing where it is. Smack it a few times with a pole. It's ghetto but sometimes works. If not check the connections make sure they are secure. Undo them smear them with battery grease and reattach snugly. Follow the leads back to make sure everything is connected.

My guess is it doesn't have enough juice to cycle or a fuse is gone. It could be an ignition switch.

Have you tried push starting it?

There are some good things to look at here too: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ont-start.html

It is just so weird that it won't start when i took it out this morning to buy anti-seize. It doesn't even make the click noise like its trying to turn over. It makesssss no SEEEENSES:mad::mad:

I'll try jumping it though. When you say not to use both terminals, you mean to just connect the positive and leave both negatives clamped to some metal?

is this like pushing it in neutral and then trying to start it???

My guess is that your lowering probably has nothing to do with the no-start, other than you accidently knocking some electrical system loose, shorting a circuit, etc. You should be in standard no-start troubleshooting mode now, isolating what the problem is. You start with a fresh battery (or a jump), then work towards the fuses, starter solenoid, starter interlocks (if auto), etc.

- Mark

Yeah, just hook the negative jumper cable to bare metal in the engine bay. Sometimes it won't click. Usually means a bad solenoid.
You got it on the push start.

man i hate electrical problems. they're so nerve-racking. i hope its just a jump for this cheap Napa battery (came stock right?) because of the cold weather. it just sucks that this had to happen right after i put the coilovers on.

Do you have a non-factory alarm system in it with a tilt sensor?

Electricity is a beast. The best is always to use the k.i.s.s principle when dealing with it.

I seriously suspect you just killed the battery. It's easy to do when working on the car, given the usual combination of interior lights and radio - and it sounds like there's an aftermarket battery in the mix, too? I would highly recommend trying to jump it before worrying about ANYTHING else. You're not going to hurt it trying to jump it...but you might hurt your pride having to call a friend or neighbour! :grin:

When you turn the key to the on position, do you get any lights at all? If battery is dead, obviously nothing will come on.

If you get lights and have power, pop the panel under the steering column and check your clutch pedal sensor. It attaches to the side of the clutch pedal arm and man it is easy to knock loose or knock off. I was trying to grease the spring down there and just brushed it and it popped off. Could be another cheap and quick thing to check.

This is my bet as well, but it's an interesting thread. Looking forward to hearing the ultimate resolution.

:popcorn:

my bro told me this morning that the door wasn't completely shut so i suspect i killed the battery (+1 applesauce, markjenn, arteforge) went to wal-mart and bought some jumper cables. let you know the results.

nothing happened :(

trying the clutch pedal sensor

you tried jumping it and nothing happened? When I work on my car and leave the radio on for even an hour, the battery dies. its a small battery (granted mines an r56), but it dies so easily. Also, when dead it doesn't click when trying to start the car like others I've killed batteries on. Did you try leaving the leads on for a while and let it charge up a bit before starting it it may help. You have the jumper car with the good battery on right? Maybe try revving it a little. Does it at least try to crank? If not you may have shorted something or knocked a cable loose.

:popcorn:

Regardless, replace that cheap aftermarket battery with a good deep-cycle battery. If you can spend it, Optima yellow tops. If not, name brand with high cranking amps.

Try another key? They have some security stuff (tech term) in them that Bentley Manual says may goof up.

after two failed attempts to jump start it, IT WAS THE CLUTCH PEDAL SENSOR!!!!

was directed to this thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-bulletin.html

will add the optima battery on list of things to buy :grin:

Glad it came down to an easy fix. There is nothing worse than tracing wiring looms to obscure places.

Glad to hear that's all it was :thumbsup:

the mini looks sick man. Glad to hear it was a simple fix