Very Strange - ABS Light On then Car Won't Start

[m3f_abcurran]

Strange problem just now.



Went to go pick up a friend and waited about 10 mins for a parking spot with the car idling. Finally parked, turned off the car, get friends in the car, start up and go. Notice a min or two later, the ABS light is on. Get to friends house 5 mins later, turn car off.



This is when problem started.



Go to turn car back on after dropping off friends, and she won't crank over. Starter won't engage. Practically every dash light comes on, though only about 1/4 of the normal brightness as I try to crank. THe lights flickered with some strange sounds like chirping or whining. Try to start 3 more times - nothing.



Wait 5 mins, try again, cranks over and starts right up like nothing happened. Drives fine. Drove fine for 5 mins, turned off and started back up.



OBC needs the time reset, the one-touch, driver's window switch doesn't work now, but the regular press and hold method works.



Alternator?

Battery?

Some giant mystery involving the ABS system?



Would you trust the car on a 100 mile trip tomorrow?

[m3f_jayjaya29]

Check connections to the battery, alternator, starter.

[m3f_enderw88]

Check connections to the battery, alternator, starter.

+1, and no, I wouldn't trust it for a road trip unless you like talking with tow truck drivers.

[m3f_hencini]

Check the trunk lid harness, too.

[m3f_abcurran]

Everything seemed connected. Played with fire and drove the car on the trip today. No hiccups. Absolutely no problems on the trip today.


Very strange.

[m3f_abcurran]

The initial problem replicated itself just now. Went to go run an errand and car wouldn't start. No ABS light this time.


First, the keyless entry wouldn't unlock the car. I thought it was a dead battery, but the panic alarm went off holding down the button on the fob.


Then the key wouldn't start the car. Took two videos, but not much can be seen on account of the time. Will post in a bit. But, you can hear the the door chime having a different tone than normal, and can see which lights on the dash come on half strength and flicker.


This was the first time trying to start the car since Thursday morning. It rained slightly today, and come to think of it, it rained the night before I first had this problem. Maybe water is causing a bad ground?


It can't be a battery or alternator problem b/c the car has been driven several times since the first problem for as much as two hours on separate occasions.


I've never had an EWS problem so not sure if this is a symptom. Maybe the chip in the key is losing its juice? Does the key have to be charged in the ignition for some time before the car will start?


I don't see any problems with any of the harnesses mentioned above.


On the 4th or 5th try, the car started with no problem and idled fine...


Absolutely bizzare.

[m3f_enderw88]

I think its an EWS problem, but I have EWS 1 which is a different beast than your EWS 2. So I can;t really comment any further.

[m3f_abcurran]

If it's an EWS problem, would the time a date on the OBC reset after the car was finally started?

[m3f_fiveightandten]

How old is the battery? What you're describing can very easily be due to low voltage from the battery.


Have it tested (most parts stores will do this for free). If you have a multimeter, measure the voltage and report back.


FWIW, I had a similar thing happen to my E46 (ABS, DSC, and door open lights were going nuts). It was the battery, however, those cars are so finicky with voltage that the battery even tested fine on AutoZone's load tester. I replaced it, and the car has been fine ever since (over a year has gone by).


E36 isn't as finicky with voltage, but that's what i'd be looking at if the wiring all looks fine.