Power

[fangsween]

Hi guys,

I have a 1993 BMW E36 318is and i noticed tonight when driving home that the engine wouldnt idle properly. Kept nearly cutting out, then not, then nearly cutting out, then not (you get the idea).

Strange thing is, when i turn the headlights off it idles properly (i used the car earlier in the day and all was fine).

I have also recently installed some aftermarket angel eye headlights, and these are plugged into the existing headlight sockets with a positive/negative running straight to the battery. My question is, are the headlights using too much power when on, which in turn affects the way the car idles? Has anybody had anything like this before? Should i get a more powerful battery? If so, can anybody recommend? If not, does anybody have any ideas what could be up?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Dan

[TheEnd]

Most of the angel eye kits I've seen run directly off the sidelight feed, and don't use the relay that sometimes comes inside the kit.

[fangsween]

How do you run them from the side light feed? The angel eyes were a complete new set of headlights (not a modification kit).

[TheEnd]

ah, this was for aftermarket add ons into the originals.

You'd pull back the 5w sidelight, and tap into that wire.

[fangsween]

These are the headlights i have

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-318is-M44_1.9L/Li...

Any ideas?

I used the wiring shown to plug straight into the battery. Do you think this means i need a more powerful one?

[TheEnd]

They still shouldn't cause problems, especially wired to the battery, but I'm wondering if there is an earth going astray somewhere.

[fangsween]

Could it be that the battery needs replacing? How can i tell if the battery is on its way out?

[TheEnd]

Only proper way to test is a load meter, which is 2 big spikes you jam onto the terminals, and it starts discharging it pretty quick.

Other than that, check for 12+ v when standing, ideally 12.4, If you are getting 11.5 or lower, give it a good charge.

In this case though, I think it would be wiring or the alternator.
The electrical load shouldn't have changed, it'll still have similar bulbs and power drains.

[fangsween]

Ok thanks mate.

I dont have any tools to do this, so what would be the best thing to do? How do i do a 12v test?

Sorry for all the questions.

[TheEnd]

It would need a multimeter.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001K9V8Q/ref=asc_df_B...

That's a proper battery load tester, it looks like the 2 spike version is a bit old these days.

[fangsween]

Thanks mate.

Im thinking that the tester is £30.00 whereas a new Bosch battery is £60.00 so i might just get a new battery instead.

I have only just started using the car since being off the road for about two years, so i guess the battery may have gone bad?

I did charge it a few weeks ago (to get the car going), but could the lack of use cause damage to the battery?

Dan

[TheEnd]

Yea, it could do.
Car batteries don't like going flat.

[fangsween]

I was having a root around on the internet and came accross a cleaning throttle idle valve DIY process, do you think this woild help. They had a video of a E36 with a rough idle which is just lke mine. I think i might try this first?

[TheEnd]

Yea, might as well.

Make sure you fit it the right way round after, and also look for any tears in air hoses

[billzeebub]

alternator?