Electrical starter issues

Worcester_spoon

Worcester_spoon

Senior member
 Basingstoke, Hampshire
So, battery has run flat a couple of times - I thought it was me leaving the video recorder plugged in, but I've unplugged it and still having issues.

The doors open and all the dash lights come on, but I'm just getting a click when it turns over. Could it be an alternator or starter motor issue rather than a battery issue?
 
I suspect you need a new battery. Give it a charge and see if the issue goes away? I had the same when I'd left my car for 4-5 weeks and came back and it was flat and made the noise you've described.

Chris
 
I've got a multimeter you can use but I'm in SP5 so a little drive away. If the car isn't starting then this would be quite difficult. If I drive past Basingstoke I'll drop you a pm. Not sure if I am going that way for a few weeks though.
 
Thanks guys. Battery was new 5 months ago and until recently I've not had an issue. I was driving it 3 or 4 times a week and it's only when this has slowed down there is an issue. Trip to an auto electiprician is probably called for u reckon.
 
Do the first few steps yourself. Check the battery output, 12.35 V when disconnected (and having been left for a few hours) is approx. 75% and anything lower than that I would change. Check the voltage with the engine running - the alternator should be putting out 13.2–14.4 V.
 
check for a parasitic drain on it too.. I was having very similar issues, and turned out to be the shitty connector in the central cubby hole (the connector that detects the door being open or closed).
I removed this, and my car can now last at least a week without being started.
beforehand.. it was a couple of days at best.

However, if you've emptied the battery properly a few times, then tried to start a few times whilst it's drained, its not likely to have done it any good.
most places offer a free battery test (using a "deep cycle" tester I think it's called? whatever.. it's more than a multimetre) and this will tell you if your battery is kaput.

good news is, if it's only a few months old, and you have the receipt, you'll get a free replacement for it ;)
 
Thanks guys - I retro fitted a USB socket where the cig lighter was and I suspect this may be the issue (as it has a small blue light on it). Going to swap this back at the weekend and see if it solves the issue. Didn't have a problem before this, albeit under different conditions (I.e it was being driven more).
 
Worcester_spoon said:
Thanks guys - I retro fitted a USB socket where the cig lighter was and I suspect this may be the issue (as it has a small blue light on it). Going to swap this back at the weekend and see if it solves the issue. Didn't have a problem before this, albeit under different conditions (I.e it was being driven more).
Click to expand...

I've got a usb converter and an arduino permenantly powered in mine at the moment.. these don't draw that much that it would kill a battery that quick (unless they're borked maybe?)
 
Ok, so put a multimeter on it - drawing around 2.5 when car open, drops to around 1.8 when car locked for 30 seconds whilst systems shut down and then it's at 0.03.

Battery is going flat inside 6 hours...

Makes no sense, so not sure what to do now. I have a faulty actuator in the n/s door, so wondered if that could be causing an issue?

Next up is pulling fuses I guess, but given its only pulling 0.03, not really sure what I'm going to be able to find.

Damn bloody stupid car.
 
0.3 Amps should not make a battery flat from fully charged in 6 hours, I'd get your battery tested regardless of it only being 5 months old , it could be faulty
 
I've had a similar problem but definitely diagnosed mine as a Starter Motor Issue. Somethines I have nothing at all, just a click, then other time loads of juice to turn it over and raise/lower the roof, so not a power/charge issue I dont think.

Also tapping the starter/solenoid with a spanner seems to work sometimes and it turns over and starts OK.

So...
a) Where is the best place to source a Starter Motor for a 3.4 Alpina ( Inc any exchange deals for the old unit?)
b) is it a standard 3.0 Starter as on the car when BMW sent it to Alpina ?

All advice appreciated
 
Double check your alternator voltage when it's running at idle and then load it up with consumables on and see if the voltage drops dramatically. Battery might not being getting charged when your driving it.
 
Sorted mine today. New Starter Motor at £82 from GSF Car Parts and two hours meddling about skinning my knuckles.
Turns over sweet as a nut now.

I called in a favour and used Ramp-it-Up, where I could borrow their tools and facilities :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom