Battery problems
Moderator: martauto
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calex
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 106
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:00 pm
- Location: Aberdeen
Hi im now on my third battery in my 325, if i start it every day its ok, if i leave it 2 days the battery is to flat to start, i just dont know why they go flat. Nothings left on, its not the stereo its not the clock or boot light, im stumped anyone have any suggestions that would be great. it was converted from 1.6 to 2.5 years ago but dont think that would have anything to do with it. thanks
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milescook
- E30 Zone Camper

- Posts: 1285
- Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:00 pm
- Location: The 'bran of Cwm
Have an alarm fitted? Mine killed the battery in 3 or 4 days.plebt of posts here about usual suspects.if you have a millimeter that can help diagnose by plugging fuses and checking readings.do some searches here tons of advice
Millimeter even
Millimeter even
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mark_i
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 972
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Widnes
worth checking the alternator.
with the ignition off, they can drain a battery when the diode pack is defective.
with the ignition off, they can drain a battery when the diode pack is defective.
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Billwill
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 363
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:00 pm
- Location: South Africa
If you cannot find a Millimeter get hold of a Multimeter....put it on DC Amps and put it in series with the battery...do not start the car.
With everything turned OFF you should get a reading not more than about 30 mA.
Pull the fuses out one at a time to see which fuse makes the biggest drop in current when pulled out...that will tell you which circuit is at fault.
As stated...usual suspects are alarm/immobilisor, boot light and bad alternator but you could easily have ashort or partial short somewhere.
With everything turned OFF you should get a reading not more than about 30 mA.
Pull the fuses out one at a time to see which fuse makes the biggest drop in current when pulled out...that will tell you which circuit is at fault.
As stated...usual suspects are alarm/immobilisor, boot light and bad alternator but you could easily have ashort or partial short somewhere.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Make sure you have the keys with you and/or a window open before you disconnect and reconnect the battery. Some alarm/immobilisers lock the car when the battery is connected, and you wouldn't be the first to find out this the hard way.
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calex
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 106
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:00 pm
- Location: Aberdeen
Thanks for the help, doesn't have alarm or immobiliser so that rules that out.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Unless you're 100% familiar with the wiring of your car, I wouldn't be too sure of that! Very, very few E30s haven't had an alarm/immobiliser at some point in their life, and there are plenty of them out there that their owners aren't aware of.calex wrote:Thanks for the help, doesn't have alarm or immobiliser so that rules that out.
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TPS
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 13121
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: Hampshire
I had an auto electrican come to me, I had a similar problem, turned out they were 2 old Immobiliser circuit/wiring still buried in the loom, it had been butchered by amateurs.

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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calex
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 106
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:00 pm
- Location: Aberdeen
I finally found the problem, it was fuse number 28 draining the battery so it got taken out, no idea wot it was for but everything that i need to work works so its all good. cheers for the help and the info.
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kam-325i
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 4851
- Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: TELFORD !!!! (Shropshire) Stevetigger Land !!!
fuse 28 is for Cig Lighter, Elec Aeriel, Door open window lifts.
Pete don't care about colour, He would shag a rainbow if he could find the end of it....


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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Plus factory fitted alarm/immobiliser.kam-325i wrote:fuse 28 is for Cig Lighter, Elec Aeriel, Door open window lifts.
