The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.
Car, Truck and SUV Forums at Roadfly
+ Bentley Forums
+ BMW Forums
+ Cadillac Forums
+ Chevrolet Forums
+ Ferrari Forums
+ Jaguar Forums
+ Lamborghini Forums
+ Lotus Forums
+ Mercedes-Benz Forums
+ Maserati Forums
+ MINI Forums
+ Porsche Forums
+ General Discussion
+ Marketplace Forums
Re: battery drain when lights are on (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E21) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Klaus on July 22, 2001 at 18:09:08:

In Reply to: Re: battery drain when lights are on posted by j-dog on July 22, 2001 at 12:34:21:

You belt being too tight should not pose an electrical problem. Your alternator is the suspect here as Doug mentioned, not keeping the battery charge up. Check to make sure all connections to and from the alternator are indeed intact, no broken wires, proper ground etc.
Do that and keep us informed.

Note:
Car does not run on battery. Only uses battery to to create spark for ignition, i.e you could remove battery once car is started and she'll run.
This means that your headlights are running the batery down and the alternator is not cahrging her up.

Klaus
81 320iS


my belts are very tight, if they are too tight could this be why my alternator isnt keeping up?

sounds like your alternator isn't keeping up with the power consumption. Check your belts and see that they only have about half an inch of play up and down. HTH

-Doug





Follow Ups:


[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E21) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.
Roadfly.com Logo © 1997 - 2009 Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.