E46 dash lights flashing like a disco...

[ol]

Hello,

I've got an E46 320d, and recently when i'm driving it the battery light will start randomly flashing at me. It'll come one for a second or two, flash for a bit, then dissapear again. Its really random.

Then even more randomly my handbrake warning light, ACS light, Airbag warning light etc will all just light up for about 10 seconds and then dissapear. This has only happened maybe 3 times in the past week of driving.

I'm particularly skint at the moment, so i dont want to take it to a garage for them to bend me over, and so far (Touch wood) it starts and runs fine.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Its a 2001 pre facelift model.

Any advice would be much apreciated.

Thanks in advance

[_Deano]

have you tried checking the connections on the battery?
It may be that the + cable has worked a bit loose and is not making a proper contact.

[Vee]

Check if the battery light coming on coincides with electrical equipment coming on . . . wipers, lights, ciggie lighter , etc.
If so, likely yo be your alternator - it was with mne when I have the same problem.

[ol]

Thanks chaps, i'll check the battery connections this afternoon.

The thing is, it doesnt coincide with me putting an electrics on, it really is just happening at random intervals, which led me to think it was a dodgy electrical connection or something...

[ol]

Right, checked the battery connections and they're fine. Also looked for any obvious wiring problems under the bonnet and can't see anything wrong there either.

I guess it's just one of those things i'll have to get checked out...

[crum01]

Hi Ol,

Did you have any luck locating the problem? I am having exactly the same problem with my battery light flickering on every now and again, then on the next journey it might not come on at all.

Thanks for your time,

James.

[miniman]

crum01 said:

Hi Ol,

Did you have any luck locating the problem? I am having exactly the same problem with my battery light flickering on every now and again, then on the next journey it might not come on at all.

Thanks for your time,

James.

Where in the South West are you James? You're welcome to plug into my diagnostics if you can get to Chippenham or Bristol.

[crum01]

Hi Miniman,

Thank you for your quick reply. I live in Bath, so could get to Chippenham or Bristol easily enough. I would appreciate any help.

Regards,

James.

[miniman]

Cool, if you want to run over to Chippenham one evening this week I will plug it in for you and see what it says. Won't be able to do much about fixing it, but at least you'll know if it thinks there's something wrong.

PM me your mobile number and I will give you a call to arrange.

[ol]

Hi James,

I never managed to work out what was causing it, but after doing it randomly for about a month it seems to have stopped now. It's probably not done it for over a month now so i dont know what it could have been.

If you plug yours into a diagnostic machine and it points to an obvious fault, could you please let me know incase mine starts playing up again?

Cheers

[john_p]

You do get weirdness like this when the battery is low, so check that it's correct voltage when off and when running (charging)

[crum01]

Hi,

The battery light is now flashing on and off pretty constantly. I have just checked the voltage across my battery, which is 12.6V with engine off and between 14.39V and 14.42V with the engine running and battery light flashing, so a little low? But does this not show that the battery is being charged?

I was thinking perhaps the belt could be slipping a little, although it's not making any obvious noise to confirm this, I will have to get underneath tomorrow and have a good look.

Thank you for your help,

James.

Edited by crum01 on Wednesday 30th July 18:54

[BMW_E46_SA]

Hi All, I a newbie to this forum and have been looking for answers to a strange problem I'm having on 2003 BMW 318i E46 with Steptronic. The issue is that occasionally the BATTERY CHARGE LIGHT flashes ON for a second or 2 and then goes off, but with this comes a sharp jerk, almost like the engine might be cutting out and restarting in that short period but NO OTHER lights come on...so very confused.

It does it very irregularly so there is no pattern. I have taken it to an EX BMW mechanic who has his own shop with diagnostic equipment but it could find any faults. My problem this could be indicative of something bigger...

Some of the options are :
1] it could be the Crankshaft sensor acting up.
2] it could be the Camshaft sensor acting up.
3] it could be the alternator regulator going faulty.
4] it could be the belt slipping due to the belt tensioner going faulty.

So not sure where to start, I can't fix all these options...tooooo costly.
So hoping someone has a better suggestion...

Does the jerk I get with the Battery Light shed some light ?