New ///MFEST member needs help!!!

[dumpedDaily]

Hey all. I'm a new member and I've got a little problem here. My car decided to just want to crap out on me last week. Here are some details.

Car: 2002 M3 SMG

Mileage: 117000

Problem: No start

Symptoms:

- Car would need to be jumped to start at times
- Car would sometimes start on its own without a jump
- Service and smg light would turn off and on
- Would shift out of gear while driving on HWY
- SMG/Fuel pump currently not priming but was going in and out
- Had a leak in the driver front tire which caused car not to start
- Will not go into let me select any gears when car is on or off
- Makes a spark sounding noise after turning key back to the off (0) position

Actions Taken:

- Checked stock battery life (60%) charged it to 100% but depleted to 80 once off the charger. Put the stock battery back and still didnt start.
- Checked a majority of the fuses in the glove box
- Replaced batterty with Braille 15 lb battery
- Replaced Salmon relay under hood fuse box
- Tried different keys
- Open and closed hood, trunk, gas cap, and both doors. Sometimes worked!
- Replaced rims and tires from 19" ZCP to base 18"

I hope to find what the issue is myself before going to the stealership for repair. Any suggestions as to what will help fix the problem would be really appreciated. Ive read numerous threads on this type of problem and have seen it to be the battery or salmon relay. Ive also seen that it could be faulty ignition swith or brake switch. Some say starter but it clicks when I try to start the car. Either way I NEED HELP!!! I don't want to get rid of ///MONICA

in advance.

[Sir Marcus E39]

have you checked the starter solenoid or alternator?

[dumpedDaily]

I haven't checked starter or alternator yet. I figured the smg pump would still prime at least. Wouldn't it?

[indohan]

1. Smg needs a healthy battery in order to be in its prime.
When you unlock the door, do you hear smg pump charges?

2. How old is your smg pump? How many miles/kilometers on it?
Check smg reservoir under your hood.
Dont worry, when facing smg problem, always start with salmon relay, which you are already at the right track.

3. You might also check if alternator is bad.
With a bad alternator, battery will not be properly charged.
Back to #1, without healthy battery........

Wheels on affect transmission.
Keep a cool head and keep us posted.

[dumpedDaily]

Originally Posted by indohan

1. Smg needs a healthy battery in order to be in its prime.
When you unlock the door, do you hear smg pump charges?

2. How old is your smg pump? How many miles/kilometers on it?
Check smg reservoir under your hood.
Dont worry, when facing smg problem, always start with salmon relay, which you are already at the right track.

3. You might also check if alternator is bad.
With a bad alternator, battery will not be properly charged.
Back to #1, without healthy battery........

Wheels on affect transmission.
Keep a cool head and keep us posted.

Smg pump does not charge when unlocking the door. As for the battery, it's a brand new Braille b2015 which is the same battery Paul Morrison from Driftworks/Track culture uses. I figured if he's using it in a v10 swap, it would be fine in a stock M3. Would the alternator or starter be a cause for the smg pump not to prime?

I hope to hook up my buddies diagnostic tool to the car today and see what codes come up. I've tried the simple things and I guess I'll be moving to the more difficult tasks. Also would a faulty ignition switch or brake switch cause this issue? (smg pump not priming to start)

Thanks for the input. Everything helps. I feel much better with MFEST than 3 out of 4 other forums I'm on. Some don't even answer or even bothered to help. I'm very appreciative of the quick support!!

[Laidback]

Find another newer OEM factory battery and check alternator....

[dumpedDaily]

Originally Posted by Laidback

Find another newer OEM factory battery and check alternator....

I'll try that also. My buddy should be coming thru today. I'll take the battery out his car lol

[indohan]

Originally Posted by dumpedDaily

Smg pump does not charge when unlocking the door. As for the battery, it's a brand new Braille b2015 which is the same battery Paul Morrison from Driftworks/Track culture uses. I figured if he's using it in a v10 swap, it would be fine in a stock M3. Would the alternator or starter be a cause for the smg pump not to prime?

I hope to hook up my buddies diagnostic tool to the car today and see what codes come up. I've tried the simple things and I guess I'll be moving to the more difficult tasks. Also would a faulty ignition switch or brake switch cause this issue? (smg pump not priming to start)

Thanks for the input. Everything helps. I feel much better with MFEST than 3 out of 4 other forums I'm on. Some don't even answer or even bothered to help. I'm very appreciative of the quick support!!

Alternator might be the problem in your situation.
Make sure to check it through so you won't tackle the wrong problem.
It would be stupid to change the battery if the problem was alternator, or vice versa, wouldn't it?

On my first post, I meant "wheels don't affect transmission"

As for battery, I personally would prefer to stick with OEM.

And you're at the right place to ask for help.
MFEST is the best community in the world.
Cause.... We help others based on camaraderie among enthusiasts.

[dumpedDaily]

Originally Posted by indohan

On my first post, I meant "wheels don't affect transmission"

And you're at the right place to ask for help.
MFEST is the best community in the world.
Cause.... We help others based on camaraderie among enthusiasts.

haha I understand the wheels thing. I was just saying on my part that the car basically wouldn't start unless I had the right tire pressure in there. I had a fast leak in the driver front and every time it went totally flat, the smg light would come on and would not go into any gear. That's why I changed the rims an tires out.

I'll try to use an oem battery to see what happens. My question to you is would a bad alternator cause the pump not to prime?

[Laidback]

Possible but best way is to do a process of elimination and start from the battery (make sure is new or fairly new with good charge)

Originally Posted by dumpedDaily

I'll try to use an oem battery to see what happens. My question to you is would a bad alternator cause the pump not to prime?