Serious Problem - any ideas or advice?

B

brawnyblue

Member
My dad encountered this problem on his E39 525i manual. I know this is a Z4 board but so far people here have been able to help me with my Z4 and everyone here seems very knowledgeable so maybe someone can help :D

This is what happened:
"After driving for a while in town and parking and restarting the engine the car did not want to start anymore. Another driver helped me jump start the car and it worked fine. It seemed that the battery was flat (clicking noise)

After several kilometers some issues arose during driving:
some warning lights came on, first the airbag one, then ABS, then ASC, then for brakes, then EML, then battery

Then the speedometer stopped working (went down to 0), then the rev counter (all while driving)

Now the car does not start anymore"

To me this sounds like the alternator may have broken but am not sure. Has anyone had this problem or have any ideas? Would really appreciate some feedback, thanks in advance! It is a 525i manual.
 
It sounds like either a dead battery or a failing alternator/charging circuit. You really need to check the battery voltage as it is now to see what it is. Give the battery a decent charge, see what the voltage then is. It should then run perfectly. Stick the meter on it again while running and the voltage should be increase as the engine is revved just a little.

Look for around 12.9v when charged and in the region of 14v with the engine running. If it's showing less that 12v then I'd point to a dead cell in the battery. If it's not rising to 14v with the engine running then a faulty alternator (or slipping /missing drive belt, loose connection, etc.)

Good luck and post up some voltages if yuo want more accurate advice
 
My guess it is your alternator. Here is my thought proccess:

1. Your living your life carefree and happy.
2. Your alternator stops charging your battery
3. Your battery wasn't charged enough to start your car
4. You jump start your car and it is running off your battery charge
5. As the battery runs out with no Alternator to refresh it, the on board computer does not have enough voltage to function properly, so the dash lights come on.
6. Everything eventually stops working.

In Arizona, we can take our batteries to AutoZone/Checker/O'Reily auto parts and have the battery charged for free. Then we can take the car down and have the alternator checked for free.

Knowing what your problem is, is always the first step to recovery :P
 
cj10jeeper said:
It sounds like either a dead battery or a failing alternator/charging circuit. You really need to check the battery voltage as it is now to see what it is. Give the battery a decent charge, see what the voltage then is. It should then run perfectly. Stick the meter on it again while running and the voltage should be increase as the engine is revved just a little.

Look for around 12.9v when charged and in the region of 14v with the engine running. If it's showing less that 12v then I'd point to a dead cell in the battery. If it's not rising to 14v with the engine running then a faulty alternator (or slipping /missing drive belt, loose connection, etc.)

Good luck and post up some voltages if yuo want more accurate advice
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