[b]Starter or battery problem?[/b]

[wesman]

I have a 1991 316i, For a few days my starter sounded asif it was strugling, almost like a discharged battery, then for a few days there was a clicking sound as the started engaged.

Yesterday morning, two clicks, start(struggle), turnover, normal idle.
Last night, stranded: Sounds like a machine gun, clicks all the time, all the dashboardlights flash, starter wont turn.

Is this the battery or the starter?

And is the following related, on some mornings one of the belts whines, its worse after wet weather, and last month the alternator bushings and fan belt had to be replaced at its yearly service.

[Martinaston]

Did you try spinning the alternator by hand when the belt was off ?
should spin a few times before stopping, if it stops as soon as your hands off the bearings are gone so you'll need a new one anyway.

if the bushings were done recently then the battery normaly fails after an alternator fault, try borrowing one to be sure before buying a new one.

[blingsta]

my wifes cars has the same problem.... recently found it to be an earth problem... check all your earth straps