Starting woes

Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:03 pm

Ok the cars an '89 320i.It's been sat in the garage while I've been changing some bits for about 4 weeks. Came to start it battery dead.Ok so I jumoed started it all ok.Took it for a long run,turned it off battery had some life but not enough to turn over the engine.Got a battery charger still not charging properly.So bought a new battery.
Now getting a votage between +/- on the battery when car is off of about 12.5v.Battery charger says it's fully charged.Can't find any amp drainage.But when I go to turn over the solenoid clicks all the dash lights are on but nothing happens.No fues blown plenty of fuel everything seems connected all the + and - leads are connected tight.
What am I missing?

Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:09 pm

starter relay? but i'm really just having a wild stab there fella

Brianmooooore is your man

Sat Oct 01, 2005 8:59 am

Ok an update on this.
Went out this morning still wouldn't start with the new fully charged battery.Checked the old battery which I had left to charge overnight and it says it's fully charged.So off with the new on with the old and hey presto car starts first time

.The new battery was bought from Halfords right model going by there little book Calcium battery with 4 yr warranty cost me Ãƒ”šÃ‚£70,it's going back this morning!

Question now is at idle the battery is 12.77v at 1500rpm it is 13.80v.
Is this ok? is the alternator giving out enough charge?
Brianmoore will know for sure!

Sat Oct 01, 2005 10:13 am

string wrote:Ok an update on this.
Went out this morning still wouldn't start with the new fully charged battery.Checked the old battery which I had left to charge overnight and it says it's fully charged.So off with the new on with the old and hey presto car starts first time .The new battery was bought from Halfords right model going by there little book Calcium battery with 4 yr warranty cost me Ãƒ”šÃ‚£70,it's going back this morning!

Question now is at idle the battery is 12.77v at 1500rpm it is 13.80v.
Is this ok? is the alternator giving out enough charge?
Brianmoore will know for sure!

Sounds about right. Switch on all the lights etc., and see if the altenator can keep up with it.
Valuable lesson here as well - don't assume new parts are good parts.

Sat Oct 01, 2005 10:20 am

string wrote:cost me Ãƒ”šÃ‚£70,it's going back this morning!

Batteries are cheaper from BMW!

I wanted a battery for a BM i sold a few weeks back, out of convenience i popped into Halfrauds to check there prices

needless to say i left quickly empty handed...

Is it just me or is everything expensive in Halfords now, they used to be a little over priced, but now you can expect to pay 50% more than most other motor factors, unless you have a trade card and realise just how much mark up there is on , ie 300% on some items.......

Sat Oct 01, 2005 12:26 pm

Halfords was a quick and easy choice at the time but your right in that what they charge! The standard batt was Ãƒ”šÃ‚£50 and the supposed top of the range Ãƒ”šÃ‚£70 so I went for the Ãƒ”šÃ‚£70 more fool me!

I will try the test with the lights etc.
Been running around all morning with no problems at all..

Now for the next project!