battery light!!!

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:17 pm

Hi, i recenetly purchased a 1987 bmw 325i convertible from a friend. The car has been garaged for 2 years but went straight throught the mot. I'm having a problem with the battery light coming on. It gets brighter when the engine is revved. The alternator belt is tight and the voltages seem correct when i checked the battery with a multimeter. I've only driven the car a few times in case the battery suddenly dies. If anyone has any ideas whether its the alternator or the battery or maybe something else i'd be very grateful. The battery was disconnected while it was stored.
Also does the engine on these car's have a timing belt? i always thought the larger bmw engines used a chain??
Many thanks

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:20 pm

It will have a timing belt on the engine, M20B25.

Check the voltage at the alternator.

Post Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:22 pm

Yep has a timing belt, I'd change it if i was you for pece of mind, it's not a difficult job, just time consuming the first time you do it.

As for your light, I'd say your battery is buggered, check to see if any on the cells ar bubbling a lot when the car is running. Otherwise it may be the alternator, I had a mini that gave good voltage readings but when I took the alt to the spacialist it was way down on his test bed, it wasn't producing the watts when underload, but was producing volts. anyway good luck