Car wont move, all lights on.........

dalmo · Post by **dalmo** » 25 Jul 2006, 13:58

Hi all, 1997 850 t5, it sat for about a month while I was out of town. When I went to go drive it on Sunday, it started but all the lights stayed on,(gas, washer fluid, service engine, brakes, etc.).
I drove it for about 5 miles, stopped at my brothers house, sat for about 2 hours, went to start it again, it barely started and this time the lights still stayed on and the gas gauge and rpm needle didnt move, then when I put it in park, it felt like I was hauling a semi behind me, barely moving, seemed like it was stuck in winter mode, but it wasnt.
Any ideas ?
Thanks all ! ! !

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Jul 2006, 07:41

ususally when the lights come on like that it's an indication of a bad battery...just not enough juice to crank....or, it's the ignition switch. Try jiggling the key and see if it's a shorting ignition switch issue.

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 26 Jul 2006, 08:13

I am not sure about the electrical issues but one question I had was when you left the car for the month did you have the emergency brake on?
If you did, the cable may have not released and your emergengy brake pads were binding and when you drove, the pads heat up and expand and can cause those dragging issues.

dalmo · Post by **dalmo** » 26 Jul 2006, 15:45

just found out it is a bad alternator.
how much are alternators for this car ?
thanks