Need help with BMW

Melion

Right, my 318 has been sitting up for about a year and the battery is dead(obviously). I cant get into the boot to charge the battery(a fúcking ridiculous idea to put the battery in there, but thats for another day and thread) so i want to charge it through the points under the bonnet. I just tried to open the bonnet but it wont open, when i pull the handle it pops up and the latch "releases" but when i try to pull it up a bit to lift the bonnet, it wont release anymore to let the bonnet open.

Ive worded that very badly so i hope someone understands and can help me out.

sogood

This was the same situation I had with an old 7 series and now also with a Jag. In both cases it is possible to remove the rer number plate and gain access through a small hole, already there, possibly a fixing point for the number plate.

Using a thin screwdriver it is possible to trip the lock mechanism, by pulling/pushing on the thin steel connecting rod, which should be visible.

Another option suggested on BMW's is to feed a 12volt supply into the rear licence plate light fitting, which provides power to allow the central locking to function.

Otherwise it's a case of fiddling about with the bonnet. Possibly just sticky from lack of use.

celticbest

Something like this might do the trick,

http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-EA2045-SelfCharge-Jumper-Jumpstarter/dp/B000066OC8

Myrddin

Just get someone to pull up gently on the bonnet as you pull the release catch, spray some wd40 into the bonnet latch if you can see it from the kidney grills

st1979

Why cant you get in to the boot with a dead battery. I just use my key to open the boot when i have no battery in it. Just turn the key to the left and into the boot i get

Melion

st1979 wrote: »

Why cant you get in to the boot with a dead battery. I just use my key to open the boot when i have no battery in it. Just turn the key to the left and into the boot i get

I resprayed the car a while back and when we were putting the parts back onto the boot we must have rewired something wrong and the boot hasnt opened with the key since.

Idbatterim

just jump start it and bring it for a good run!

Melion

Idbatterim wrote: »

just jump start it and bring it for a good run!

Thats what i am trying to do

Idbatterim

ah right, your just going to have to try and get the bonnet open somehow...

ants09

remove the underpanel, get the car up in the air (use ramps, jackstands or whatever else you prefer) and get under the front bumber with a creeper. You can reach the latches from below with a long screwdriver and release them.

R.O.R

Once you do get under the bonnet, don't bother trying to trickle charge through the points under the bonnet. Had an E90 on trickle overnight through those points and it was still dead in the morning.

You'll need to connect the charger to the battery, so you'll need the boot open, unless you can jump via the jump points and take it for a good spin.

Is there a boot open button in the car, once you've got it jumped?

Melion

Melion wrote: »

I resprayed the car a while back and when we were putting the parts back onto the boot we must have rewired something wrong and the boot hasnt opened with the key since.

If its not an auto and I assume you can gain entry to the actual car itself then just jump it with a push or get some one to pull you with another car and jump it that way.

Tails142

Are you sure that turning key to the left won't open the boot by mechanical means - i had a similar problem before with dead battery and couldn't open the boot when turning key to the right but then turning key to the left did the trick, it was just very stiff, thought i was going to break the key but it opened with a little bit extra force after turning to the 10 o'clock position

Melion

Tails142 wrote: »

Are you sure that turning key to the left won't open the boot by mechanical means - i had a similar problem before with dead battery and couldn't open the boot when turning key to the right but then turning key to the left did the trick, it was just very stiff, thought i was going to break the key but it opened with a little bit extra force after turning to the 10 o'clock position

Ill give that a go in a few minutes