IndyMikeC6

2005 M6 Z51 - Car has been fine all spring. Performed track prep - replaced seats with track stats among other things (pads, brake fluid, tires, etc). Went to start the car and CLICK, car goes dead. I pull the negative battery terminal. Wait 15 minutes and re-attach. Radio comes on. Pretty sure I just hit the start button and she fired up. car off and back on the trickle charger (which has done fine the last few years).

Today - open the door as normal with FOB in my pocket hit start and CLICK - Dead. I repeat the above procedure but no start - dead. Next I unplug both terminals, wait 15 - 20 minutes, reconnect and accessory mode comes on like above. I turn it off, exit the vehicle wait a few and try again. Same results - Click then dead.

Next time I remove both terminals, wait 15 and re-attach. Accessory mode comes on - I turn off accessory mode, exit the vehicle and pay close attention to the anti-theft light. It comes on. I hit unlock with the FOB, anti-theft light out and same results. I pull the battery have it checked and it's at 100%.

What did I miss? Any suggestions? Of course, track day Sunday and now this.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

NBVette_Canada

Sounds like it's time for a new starter.

Next time you try it, when you push start and it goes "CLICK", pay attention to your dash lights. Does everything go dark for a few seconds and then come back? If so, it sure sounds like a starter to me, or a loose battery connection.

IndyMikeC6

Thanks for the replay. Nothing comes back. totally dead.

kestell123

This sounds like a poor conection at the battery or the starter. Try rotating battery clamps after you have tightened them. If you can move them you will have a poor conection . The poorly designed clamps on these cars cause frequent problems.

Sayfoo

I watched a video recently with simular problems and it was a bad connection of the ground cable to the body from the battery.

Bominator

The starter solenoid Bakelite caps are known to come apart from exhaust heat, when this happens the electrical connections that power your starter stop connecting and you’ll get a click when you hit the start button. This was my start problem, I could see the cracks in the cap by looking between the right side exhaust manifold and the inner fender. If you can get under the car (starter side of course) and reach the cables going to the starter solenoid cap try and wiggle them if they feel loose well you found a problem. I ordered a new solenoid from Amazon, $16 iirc, installed it myself and my starting problem was solved.

rbwinston

You don't say how old the battery is. These things are hard on batteries. Lucky to get 3 years. Weak batteries cause all kinds of strange issues.

Dave S

Sounds like a loose connection somewhere. Aside from the battery connections, check the connection at the starter & the engine to chassis grounds.
Assuming of course that you're absolutely sure the battery is good.

gdmoore01

What they said...

The only thing I can add is to try to start the car by placing the fob in the glove box slot; key side out and buttons facing the passenger door. If it starts, change the fob battery.

GD

IndyMikeC6

Thanks everyone for all the responses. I thought the connections were super tight - I couldn't move them. For some reason I added that electrical jelly to the connections - not sure that its called - and she started right up. 3 times now. I can't believe that was the issue. What strange behavior. Thanks again.

Mike

needhamboy

Thanks everyone who responded! I learn a lot.