Loosing power? Help

Post Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:38 pm

Hi wondering if anyone might be able to tell me what might be wrong or give me idea. Jumped in my car, flat battery, i hadnt left lights or anything on but the power had been a bit flickery before i parked it up, but i didnt really think much of it. So jump started it, then driving along and its seeming really slow and slugish and stuttery like its loosing power again. All the interior electrics are getting dimmer and then it just stops. Try turning it over again and its just making a tick tick ticking noise. I wont be able to have much of a look at it till tommorrow now, but by the sounds of it does anyone know if its more likely to be that the batterys nackered or the alternator? Any help please

Post Fri Aug 16, 2013 7:03 am

Impossible to identify from here. You need to either have the battery load tested, or jump-start the car again and put a volt-meter on the battery. If the system's charging you should see around 13.8V across the two terminals - if it's less than that there's a charging error.

However, it could be the alternator, the alternator belt, a dead battery, or any one of the cable connections including the starter motor terminals and the engine/body earth strap. So don't splash your cash until you've checked each option thoroughly.

Post Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:43 am

I just went to it this morning and it started first time?!! Dont understand. Hmm by the sounds of that its a bit too technical for me. If i have more trouble i think ill just call the aa and let them diagnose it, seen as im paying them 80 quid a year. Cheers for your help mate

Post Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:51 am

I wouldn't drive it until you get it sorted - you can do a lot of damage to the ECU if the electrics are fooked. Have you not got a multimeter on you? It's the most important tool in an E30 toolbox.

Post Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:19 am

Oh really. I wont be driving it much more then? Nah i aint got one of them i dont even know what one of them is to be fair, im no mechanic by any means. So you rekon i should take it to a garage tell them what happened and get them to take a look?

Post Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:10 pm

Good shout on the AA if you don't feel too competent, mind you a multimeter is quite cheap and very useful.

As an aside, your battery light should light up to signify the alternator needs to charge the battery. It may be an added complication, but without that circuit working the alternator won't charge the battery, as long as AA man is aware!

Post Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:29 pm

Alternator packed up , you have a little charge in the battery from jump starting, as you drive along the battery drains.

check the ligh in the cluster , if it does not light up when the car is not started the bulb is shot and that closes the circuit for the alternator to charge.

If it does light up , does it go out when the car is running