newbie having battery problems

T

tonyo

New Member
#1
Messages
3
Likes
0
Location
canada
#1
Hey! I'm a BMW newbie, and i just bought a BMW about 1 month ago. It's a 1996 328iS and I'm having a problem with my battery which is new btw (or so the dealership I bought it off told me....) Anyway it sleeps inside a inslutated garage with stays at about 0 C. I cant start it anymore without a boost. Now, when its running I read about 12.5VDC off the battery, I've only only owned GM cars before and to me that would mean i need a new alternator but like i said i'm a BMW newbie so idk if i should be getting around 14VDC while running ???? Soooo before I go out and buy a new alternator and rip my BMW apart to get at the alternator.....Should I?? if so is there anything special I should know about changing the alternator on my BMW? Any tricks, hints or tips anyone can offer me???

I do have a factor alarm on it, but that should not drain the battery if i don't drive it for 2-3 days should it??
 
B

Ben

Active Member
#2
Messages
576
Likes
0
Location
NY
#2
sounds like you definatly do need a new alternator, but I dont know how to change it on an e36, should be pretty straight forward though... anyone else?
 
T

tonyo

New Member
#5
Messages
3
Likes
0
Location
canada
#5
Well... I changed the alternator in my BMW, however i still read 12-12.5VDC off my battery while its running. I let it run for 10min, then took it out for a 20min drive, parked in my garage, tuned it off, tried to start it again and nothing *cry*. Is there any ideas anyone has that can help me out???? IDK is there a Voltage regulator some where on this car or an adjustment or somthing??? please don't let me go to a mechanic!!!

btw thanks for the links, I bookmarked them ^^
 
C

christyles

2
#7
Messages
33
Likes
0
Location
Toronto
#7
tonyo... if you can, there should be a date on the side of the battery somewhere. On the average, the OEM batt is about 5 years.

if your car needs a boost to start, you need a new battery in most cases. your voltage output is sufficient when running. I don't think you need a new alternator. While your car is running, it runs off the alternator which in turn is charging the battery. When your car is turned off, your battery comes into play in which it needs to be holding the charge while the car was on. It's obviously not holding a charge now. So change your battery.

Depending where you are in Canada, you might find someone local who can help you out. Visit www.e46toronto.ca, there's a bunch of us that have plenty of DIY experience, some are mechanics, and we all help each other out. If not, there are other members within our community who are members here as well, that could probably help you out before heading out to see a mechanic.

Cheers.
 
Kirby

Kirby

2
#8
Messages
4,917
Likes
18
Location
Reading,PA
#8
You already replaced the voltage regulator - it's integral to the new alternator that you installed.

Get the battery stuff checked out. Just because the dealer SAID the battery was new means absolutely nothing. It certainly sounds like a bad battery OR loose/corroded terminals.

Take it to an Auto Parts store that does battery and alternator checking in the car. That equipment will probably help nail down the problem.
 
T

tonyo

New Member
#9
Messages
3
Likes
0
Location
canada
#9
OK so battery has been changed, alternator has been changed, all connection to battery/altenator have been exmained without any problems. The BMW still will not start if left for 1 day in an insulated garage. *sigh* looks like im taking it to a mechanic and drop 1000$............. But thanks for all help anyway.
 
J

Jacko

New Member
#10
Messages
18
Likes
0
Location
Canada
#10
tonyo said:
OK so battery has been changed, alternator has been changed, all connection to battery/altenator have been exmained without any problems. The BMW still will not start if left for 1 day in an insulated garage. *sigh* looks like im taking it to a mechanic and drop 1000$............. But thanks for all help anyway.
Click to expand...
What I believe here is that the alternator is just not charging otherwise you should read about 14 V+ when the car is running. Take the alternator back and get a new one or have it checked when you have it off the car.
Don't know where you are in Canada but a good electric shop should be able to bench test the alternator.
 
selavia

selavia

2
#11
Messages
1,035
Likes
5
Location
Maryland
#11
See if you have a loose connection somewhere. Check terminals, check for any rust or build up on the terminals. My brother was having the problem. The way we diagnosed it was we did an eletric test on the battery, then on the cables running from the battery, and kept going back until we found a wire loose that was causing it to drain the battery. Good luck.

Sean
 
J

Johnnyo

New Member
#12
Messages
4
Likes
0
Location
Wataga,Il
#12
I would check the voltage output on the alternator you just put in then check it at the battery and make sure you dont have any parasitic draws on the battery after you shut the car off like maybe stereo fuel pump something to that extent good luck electrical stuff always is hard to track down
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top