Newbie needs help!

[Mobashar]

Hey guys,
Hope you're all well?
I have a slight issue..
Went to my car this morning and my key wouldn't open the central locking..
So I've been searching the web for answers and I am under the impression it may be my alternator..
I've got a e39/2003 540iA,
Have I missed anything else or would that be the culprit!
No electrical power in the car, manually opened the door by lifting the driver door handle..
I'm in Abu Dhabi, any help would be appreciated
Mobashar
0553159475

[RAFiK]

Did the car run? or was the battery dead?

[moaherzallah]

Seems like a dead battery to me. It has its symptoms at least.

[Bruno]

dead battery

[Mobashar]

cool, thanks guys,
not yet had a chance to jump the car, been driving my wifes pajero for now!
ive also read somewhere it may be due to fuse 56!! not yet had a chance to investigate further, but the radio is not working so that may be the culprit, as it comes and goes intermittently!
but i will change the battery nevertheless!!
once again thanks, and it s great having a network of BMW fanatics to help!

[Makaveli7]

Dead battery.

Same thing happened to me on the Range Rover (BMW M62) - After trying everything (almost breaking the key and the steering) and leaving it overnight in the mall parking - I jumped the car the second day and everything worked perfectly.

[Revolutus]

Dead Battery!!

[Mobashar]

Ok, so after buying a new battery and installing it, the new battery has died too...
All suggestions would be highly appreciated...

[moe. issa]

Hi , you can check the water pump my cousin had the same problem before , when the water pump is weak or not working the fan is continually working and consumes more electricity from the battery while the elec. dynamo cant charge it perfectly . When you change the water pump change the battery for an original one also .


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[RAFiK]

If the new battery died, it is your alternator.

Replace the alternator, recharge your new battery and off you go.

[Wazif]

+1 to what Rafik said.... if not the alternator, it could be any other circuit that's draining battery and not going to sleep once car is switched off. Diagnosing that can be time consuming.

[Mobashar]

hey guys,
thanks for the input, i pulled the #56 fuse, its been a week - so far so good!!
BUT ---- driving this morning car just shut off midway on the motorway/highway,
restarts normal but it doesnt idle at all, so once it goes below 750rpm it just switches off again...
ie had it towed/recovered to a random garage in musaffah abu dhabi. ive told him to check the fuel pump, filter, pipes.. problem is that the guy doesnt have a code reader, does anyone know where i can go to get it properly diagnosed or if i am on the right track with the fuel lines... or could it be the MAF sensor?!
currently got the devils luck with my car...

[RAFiK]

Any proper garage should have a code reader.

Switch the car on and immediately put your foot on the gas and raise the RPM to 2000. See if it switches off or not.

If not, then it could be your MAF sensor. E39s are known for having MAF issues. They don't last as much.