Battery constantly drained!!

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
Cyant1fical
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:00 pm
Location: Newcastle

Post Wed Jul 12, 2017 7:40 pm

Coming to the point in having to bump start my car sometimes as it's just cranking for a few seconds before starting and I'm having readjust all my settings on my stereo as it resets everything, any ideas as to why my battery is constantly draining anyone?
User avatar
Stefan on probation
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:00 pm

Post Wed Jul 12, 2017 7:48 pm

Shite alarm, boot light or glove box stuck on or a shite/knackered battery.

I'd say its the alarm /VOE
User avatar
aimlessrock
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1821
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Manchester

Post Wed Jul 12, 2017 10:02 pm

first things first-have you checked the charge from the alternator?
E30 320i Convertible (1989)
190 Mercedes (1988)

"there is nothing more expensive than a cheap E30"
User avatar
drakesmith
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 180
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 11:00 pm
Location: London

Post Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:00 pm

Dead cells new battery
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49359
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:55 pm

No need for any guesswork! Get a meter on it. Check the charging voltage. Check the battery voltage. Check the current drain.
User avatar
arrisbmw
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 466
Joined: Sat May 06, 2017 11:00 pm

Post Wed Aug 09, 2017 1:23 pm

JUST ONE Q PLEASE, how do you check the current drain with a multi meter. thanks Paul
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49359
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Wed Aug 09, 2017 1:31 pm

Move meter leads to mA position, switch on meter on highest mA range, remove negative lead from battery, connect black meter lead to battery lead (or other good body earth), connect red meter lead to negative battery pole, reduce meter range (if not auto ranging), to get reading.
Make sure keys aren't in the car or open a window before you start, since some alarm/immobilisers will lock the car when the battery is reconnected.