[sonny325i]

I disconnected the negative battery cable to change the cluster gears in my automatic 1990 bmw 325i sedan. Once I was done with the work, I reconnected the battery, but when I go to start the car it won't start. It clicks and the dash lights up, with the radio saying to enter CODE, then I pulled key out and hazard lights starts to blink for maybe 30secs and shuts off, and no alarm sounds go off. When I saw the CODE on the radio, I entered the 5 digit code and radio works displaying the station, but car still wont start. I've Googled and searched just about as many bmw forums I can find, but it was mostly for E34s saying to disconnect negative for 5 minutes & try to start again, but that didn't work. Then I saw to connect battery (which I left disconnected overnight since it got late), put key in position 1 and wait for clock countdown. Clock never counted down on my radio, just says CODE, which I put in the 5digit radio code again, car still won't start. It's a 6mo old battery and was working perfectly fine until I disconnected it. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[M-technik-3]

Disconnect for a least 30 minutes.

 

[sonny325i]

Second time I disconnected it was more than an hour, I left it disconnected overnight. Tried to start it in the morning, but dash lights up, no start, took key out of ignition, hazards came on for a very short while and then turned off.

 

[M-technik-3]

Battery is connected well? Is the battery fully charged? I would double check your connections and then maybe throw a set of jumpers on it if it doesn't start.

 

[sonny325i]

So my buddy helped me diagnose the problem. I mistakenly triggered the kill switch located under the steering wheel when putting back kickplate after doing my work with my cluster. So relieved it was as simple as that. I attached a photo in case this happens to anyone else.

 

[hornhospital]

Yeah, you do realize that's not OEM, right? Some aftermarket system.

 

[sonny325i]

I didn't even know this was there until this happened.

 

[M-technik-3]

Yeah, we would have never figured that out. Glad it's solved.

 

[markseven]

I guess back in the day that location was popular for aftermarket alarm switches. My '87 had a really small anti-theft button there as well. I found out the hard way.

 

[mtheiring]

anti theft on 1988 325ic

do you know where the kill switch is in my 1988 E30?

 

[hornhospital]

Why do you think you have one? :dunno: