E30 318is starting problems (battery?)
Discussion
Chaps,
I have a 91 E30 318is that seems to be having a bit of a problem at the moment. Essentially, if the car is sat for any more than 24 hours, the battery drains to such an extent that I need to jump start it again.
I had the car into an E30 specialist early January where he did a full service, put a new battery in, changed the PAS & Fan belts and installed a new stereo for me. All was fine until a month ago when this problem reared its head.
Now I personally think something is draining the battery while the ignition is off but i've got no idea how to find out what it is.
Any ideas?
I have a 91 E30 318is that seems to be having a bit of a problem at the moment. Essentially, if the car is sat for any more than 24 hours, the battery drains to such an extent that I need to jump start it again.
I had the car into an E30 specialist early January where he did a full service, put a new battery in, changed the PAS & Fan belts and installed a new stereo for me. All was fine until a month ago when this problem reared its head.
Now I personally think something is draining the battery while the ignition is off but i've got no idea how to find out what it is.
Any ideas?
boot light stuck on?
get a video camera set it away recording and put it in the boot, shut boot and then play the camera back and see if the light is on with the lid shut, alternativly ask someone to climb in the boot whilst you shut it and they can tell you whast going on, I'd advise you not to climb in incase your helper decides to leave you in the boot for a laugh.........
Another failure is the heated door locks, the microswitch can fail casuing the lock to be permanently heated. Its been a while since I had an e30 son cant remeber how it works
you also could get a multimeter set to amp mode and measure the current being pulled from the battery with everything switched off. there will be some drain becasue the clock,ecu and instrument cluster use power when ignition is off. I'd expect no more than 200ma drainage.
Hope that helps
also is the alternator working correctly? And what battery was fitted? cheap nasty or a decent bosch?
get a video camera set it away recording and put it in the boot, shut boot and then play the camera back and see if the light is on with the lid shut, alternativly ask someone to climb in the boot whilst you shut it and they can tell you whast going on, I'd advise you not to climb in incase your helper decides to leave you in the boot for a laugh.........
Another failure is the heated door locks, the microswitch can fail casuing the lock to be permanently heated. Its been a while since I had an e30 son cant remeber how it works
you also could get a multimeter set to amp mode and measure the current being pulled from the battery with everything switched off. there will be some drain becasue the clock,ecu and instrument cluster use power when ignition is off. I'd expect no more than 200ma drainage.
Hope that helps
also is the alternator working correctly? And what battery was fitted? cheap nasty or a decent bosch?
Edited by David87M3 on Thursday 3rd April 15:10
Mate of mine has 5 series Touring Diesel. Same symptoms, leave car alone for several hours, flat battery.
Paid indi 'specialist' to check everthing. He confirmed there was a drain but couldn't find the source. Charged £200 for that info.
Car taken to BMW dealer, looked at model from a distance and diagnosed faulty component (resistor, relay?) keeping heater fan on when car locked. Well known £80 fix, I understand.
Paid indi 'specialist' to check everthing. He confirmed there was a drain but couldn't find the source. Charged £200 for that info.
Car taken to BMW dealer, looked at model from a distance and diagnosed faulty component (resistor, relay?) keeping heater fan on when car locked. Well known £80 fix, I understand.
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