Z3 car wont start

moonbeamer here...New to Bimmerfest .
I drive a Z3 1998 and last night it wouldnt start... put the battery onto charge.
This morning it at least clicked ...and lights came on...but nothing else.
tried jumper cables and nothing....only lights.
Now what ??
please help!!!!

Can somebody pleeeeease help ... Just replaced battery... Still no start up!!
Dashlights come on but it doesn't even click when I turn ignition key

Welcome to bimmerfest, I've moved your thread over to the Z3 forum.

if its stick check the clutch safety switch on the pedal. do you have a DVOM and how much car repair can you do ?

Its a manual, yes we have a DVOM . we tried to push/clutch start it last night and she did start...but wont if we use jumper cables. I myself am a woman and dont know that much but have my husband help me and a friend too.

push start it again and drive to your mechanic.

hahaha... was that reply because I am a woman ?? ......
yesterday I checked all the fuses.. I tried to locate the starter solenoid and there were no signs of any burnt wires or loose wires that could be seen.
If I am correct in saying , it could be something to do with the starter possibly....or maybe the immobilizer system???
I tried using my spare key in case it was that as well...
today I will start over from beginning and although its a new battery , test that and test it under load as well....
will check the battery connectors too and work my way through the checklist.
Didnt think about the clutch safety switch...so that will go onto checklist too.
by the way...when I try to start her although there is no click or anything...the headlights dont dim....which makes me think...Starter...am I correct in thinking this???

if you can access the starter solenoid it may have a large post for the battery cable and a small post . check for voltage at small post while some one turns the key to the start position. if it has voltage and does not start it maybe the starter. with the clutch pedal down you should see voltage on both sides of the clutch pedal switch when the key is turned to start position. what is the batt voltage now ?

replacing the battery can be tricky in that it's sometimes hard to get the battery clamps back on securely. I had to use a socket that fit over the posts to push the clamps down. If you have good voltage at the battery (which I assume you do for a new battery), then check the clamps and make sure they are on, all the way to the top of the battery and clamped securely.

I will get my husband..who has a wide knowledge on working on cars and my friend who is a mechanic...although neither are BMW specialists...hence I am on here looking for help..... to look at both of the suggestions you made ... Thank you

Thanks ....will double check that again...

There was mention of the starter. I would honestly check the starter and like Tom said, the battery clamps. Let us know if that works.

Originally Posted by lovemyz3

There was mention of the starter. I would honestly check the starter and like Tom said, the battery clamps. Let us know if that works.

+1. car won't start, it's logical to suspect the starter. if you can hear the solenoid click, it means it is engaging the starter. if the starter won't turn after being engaged, one can expect low amperage or bad starter.

since you have new battery and wires are good [?], i would guess starter.

It turned out that it was the starter... I had to replace the whole thing as I wasn't even getting a click !
Now she runs beautifully again.
Thanks

Originally Posted by moonbeamer

It turned out that it was the starter... I had to replace the whole thing as I wasn't even getting a click !
Now she runs beautifully again.
Thanks

Glad it's sorted!

thank you for reporting back . did you change the starter yourselves ?

Oops, wrong thread...