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Electrical Problems After Cigarette Lighter Replacement - No Start/Crank

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    Electrical Problems After Cigarette Lighter Replacement - No Start/Crank

    So I learned my lesson to disconnect the battery whenever doing anything electric full stop. I recently bought new center console plastics, because I figured hey they're not going to get any cheaper, and somehow mine look terrible even though the car only has 60k on it. Anyway, I removed the cigarette lighter port from the old one, popped it into the new one, and reinstalled it. Turned on the car to make sure I reconnected all the seat heater, HVAC, etc. buttons, and everything worked. A couple of days later I realize the cigarette lighter is bouncing around in my door pocket, so I stick it into the port. The speakers make a popping noise, and I pull it back out as quickly as I can. Cigarette lighter has a faint burning smell.

    Anyway, long story short, my car won't crank, but the headlights flicker. Key fob works, stereo works, lights work, etc. I checked the fuses in the E-box and none of them are blown. Also checked the cigarette lighter fuse in the glove box, also not blown. Video attached of trying to start the car.



    Only other thing I can think of is that the battery is done for. Can't find my multimeter so will find one to borrow tomorrow and test the battery. I'm hoping I didn't fry a wiring harness or something. Not sure if that's even possible, but sounds like it would be a pain in the ass and $$$.

    Anyone got any ideas?
    2003.5 ///M3 - Laguna Seca Blue - Black - SMG Delete

    #2
    Shoot that is unfortunate! Noticed this isn't the first time a thread has popped up related to changing that exact component: https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...spark.1130076/. I'd start by testing the battery voltage or trying a jumper and see if it cranks.

    Comment


      #3
      Yeah check your battery. That's how my car acts when trying to start it with a low battery. My speakers also pop if the battery is low.

      I've shorted out the cigarette lighter supply pins a couple times and have only ever blown the fuse.
      2002 Topasblau M3 - Coupe - 6MT - Karbonius CSL Airbox - MSS54HP Conversion - Kassel MAP - SSV1 - HJS - PCS Tune - Beisan - MK60 Swap - ZCP Rack - Nogaros - AutoSolutions - 996 Brembos - Slon - CMP - VinceBar - Koni - Eibach - BlueBus - Journal

      2012 Alpinweiss 128i - Coupe - 6AT - Slicktop - Manual Seats - Daily - Journal

      Comment


        #4
        Quick update: the battery is at 11.3 volts when idle, so obviously quite low. When cranking it drops to 8 and bounces between 8 and 10. Electrical stuff isn't really my strong suit, is that cranking voltage so low that it means time for a new battery, or will a charge be enough to salvage this?

        Also, I'm not sure why plugging the cigarette lighter in would have caused this - does that mean I wired something incorrectly when replacing the ashtray? I did hook everything up and the car was fine, but I didn't put the actual lighter insert into it until the next day - that's when this happened.
        2003.5 ///M3 - Laguna Seca Blue - Black - SMG Delete

        Comment


          #5
          11.3 when idling means your alt is not charging the battery...

          Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

          Youtube DIYs and more

          All jobs done as diy - clutch, rod bearings, rear subframe rebush, vanos, headers, cooling, suspension, etc.

          PM for help in NorCal. Have a lot of specialty tools - vanos, pilot bearing puller, bushing press kit, valve adjustment, fcab, wheel bearing, engine support bar, etc.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by mrgizmo04 View Post
            11.3 when idling means your alt is not charging the battery...

            Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
            I think in this situation the car isn’t able to start/idle. I’d just toss some jumper cables on and see what happens

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by mrgizmo04 View Post
              11.3 when idling means your alt is not charging the battery...

              Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
              Yeah sorry, I phrased that poorly. By idling I meant when the car is off, and nothing is drawing from the battery (so the battery being fully idle). Apartment life sucks, so no way to charge the battery. Will have to be a jump/replacement.
              2003.5 ///M3 - Laguna Seca Blue - Black - SMG Delete

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by pynacl View Post

                I think in this situation the car isn’t able to start/idle. I’d just toss some jumper cables on and see what happens
                Idle is not idle 🤷‍♂️🤣👍

                Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

                Youtube DIYs and more

                All jobs done as diy - clutch, rod bearings, rear subframe rebush, vanos, headers, cooling, suspension, etc.

                PM for help in NorCal. Have a lot of specialty tools - vanos, pilot bearing puller, bushing press kit, valve adjustment, fcab, wheel bearing, engine support bar, etc.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by sina View Post

                  Yeah sorry, I phrased that poorly. By idling I meant when the car is off, and nothing is drawing from the battery (so the battery being fully idle). Apartment life sucks, so no way to charge the battery. Will have to be a jump/replacement.
                  Get the battery out of the trunk into the cozy bedroom and plug in the trickle charger.

                  Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

                  Youtube DIYs and more

                  All jobs done as diy - clutch, rod bearings, rear subframe rebush, vanos, headers, cooling, suspension, etc.

                  PM for help in NorCal. Have a lot of specialty tools - vanos, pilot bearing puller, bushing press kit, valve adjustment, fcab, wheel bearing, engine support bar, etc.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by mrgizmo04 View Post
                    Get the battery out of the trunk into the cozy bedroom and plug in the trickle charger.

                    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
                    Lol thank you for this, how did I not think of that.
                    2003.5 ///M3 - Laguna Seca Blue - Black - SMG Delete

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