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12-16-2009, 08:05 AM
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#1
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3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Markham
Posts: 563
Car: '97 BMW 328i Sedan +
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battery or alternator?
I've been having this strange issue lately. The battery did not hold charge over night, but a quick boost will get the car started. So, i decided that it probably was the battery. i got a new OEM battery, charged it, put it in the car; now two days later, the car won't start in the morning. could it possibly be the Alternator this time?
This is totally frustrating 
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12-16-2009, 08:21 AM
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#2
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Classifieds Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: T.Dot
Posts: 8,749
Car: e36 m3
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Get your electrical system load tested, it will tell you if it's the alt.
Otherwise it could be a leak causing your bettery to die overnight. Do you have an alarm or a stereo system?
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12-16-2009, 08:32 AM
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#3
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Parts hoarding partner...
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,015
Car: 325IS 87-325IC 89-IC
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test electrical system for draw as stated above- ie stereo system or even a ground short.
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12-16-2009, 09:28 AM
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#4
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Sex Wagon
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Burlington
Posts: 1,471
Car: E36 / E91
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Most likely your alternator bud...E36 are known for this. You can get a used on for pretty cheap from Tom or Fil. Or get a new one for around $200
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12-16-2009, 09:30 AM
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#5
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3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Markham
Posts: 563
Car: '97 BMW 328i Sedan +
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30
Get your electrical system load tested, it will tell you if it's the alt.
Otherwise it could be a leak causing your bettery to die overnight. Do you have an alarm or a stereo system?
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stock stereo. I read about slow battery drain issues.. but that would be like very hard to find.
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12-16-2009, 10:19 AM
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#6
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'OldSchool..'
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Burlington
Posts: 2,353
Car: .
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if you have the 18 button OBC, you can quickly test to see if the alternator is bad. When my battery light came on, i did this test and sure enough the OBC was registering 11.21VDC while the car was running. usually it will show 13.84VDC on the OBC.
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12-16-2009, 10:11 PM
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#7
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3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Markham
Posts: 563
Car: '97 BMW 328i Sedan +
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update: I have tested the alternator. it's ok.
omg.. electrical........................................ ....
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12-16-2009, 10:25 PM
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#8
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6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NG, Republica Srpska
Posts: 5,124
Car: 1989 Honda CRX
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How old is the battery?
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12-17-2009, 12:02 AM
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#9
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Driving in the fast lane
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Missed in 'sauga
Posts: 2,926
Car: e38 Sport, e63
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If the bat is new and good and the altenatoris good, I'd check the amperage draw to see if there are any parasitic drain, e.g. trunk light etc. Went through a couple of batteries before I did that test and on another car and it turned out to be a faulty trunk light switch that kept the light circuit lit.
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12-17-2009, 10:15 AM
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#10
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Addict
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 2,252
Car: 97 318 IS
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Check the ground, Nascar318is had an issue like this.
When he would start the car 12V, rev it up to about 5K rpms then 13.7V.
Then would randomly turn off shortly after and occasionaly back on.
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12-17-2009, 03:08 PM
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#11
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3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Markham
Posts: 563
Car: '97 BMW 328i Sedan +
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lvan
How old is the battery?
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2 days
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12-17-2009, 04:02 PM
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#12
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Parts hoarding partner...
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,015
Car: 325IS 87-325IC 89-IC
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check glove box light, trunk light. it is most probably a very slow draw. Can happen to any car. or any aux accessory such as a stereo. Even check the ground from the motor to the body. Alt to the motor.
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12-18-2009, 07:04 PM
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#13
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3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Markham
Posts: 563
Car: '97 BMW 328i Sedan +
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I have narrowed it down to either the radio or the AMP... took fuse 9 (radio) out and no more drain...
damn
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