total power loss tonight - advice or ideas please

[connoisseur]

1990 325i manual box on the way home tonight, dash lights go very dim, ABS warning comes on, then dash dims to nothing as do dipped beam. Stick hazards on and aim for nearest off road car park, hazards flick off and on, indicators don't work, get off the road and engine dies, though dipped beam comes back.

Try to restart and alarm just kicks off. Electric windows work, indicators flash healthily when fob pushed to open and close doors. Car won't start.

No indication of problems when driven earlier in the day. Battery to date has been very healthy. Big rainstorm a few hours ago.

First thought is alternator but too wet and dark to do much checking at this time. Will go back later and see if it starts. Otherwise try to jump start it in the morning.

Would welcome your thoughts.

Regards

C

[Brianmoooore]

You really need to check the battery voltage, or fit a charged battery first. If it still won't crank, then the engine to body earth strap is prime suspect.
If it does start, check the battery voltage with the engine running.

[connoisseur]

Brian,

Many thanks I'll check both. Is the engine to body earth strap easy to get at? aka where is it? ;)

Regards

C

[Brianmoooore]

LH engine mount to LH chassis rail.

[connoisseur]

Thank you Brian. I'll post back with how it turns out.

Regards

C

[connoisseur]

The conclusion - went to the car this morning and it started first time - no problems I could see with the earth strap and all was working fine .............but:

Set off to Aylesbury and after 4 miles the ABS light comes back on and as soon as I stop in a queue of traffic the engine dies. Had it recovered to BMWorx (expert and friendly place for anyone in this area).

Turned out to be a duff alternator! The fitted unit looked very new but a bit cheap ;) Replacement fitted from a scrapper 325i they fortunately had and all is well again.

Many thanks for the advice.

Regards

C

[Brianmoooore]

If it does start, check the battery voltage with the engine running.

You didn't do this, did you?

[connoisseur]

If it does start, check the battery voltage with the engine running.

You didn't do this, did you?

no I didn't Brian..........admission time - I don't have a meter! Was going to Aylesbury to use a mates...........

Can you recommend a meter as I am going to buy tomorrow (noise of stable doors and horses doh!) but I really ought to make sure I have one.

Thanks again

Mike

[Joe328i]

I reckon any meter should be fine, but make sure you get one intended for automotive use as it'll be able to measure dwell cycle too, and you never know when you might need it!