Re: A Few Tips (archive)

Hi,
have a slight dilema on my 88is-the battery keeps discharging! i replaced the initial battery due to the discharge blaiming it to the hot weather outside when i kept the car parked for a week-bought a brand new one and everything seemed fine for about 4 wks when it happenned again tonight(car sat all weekend)-luckily i decided to keep my portable battery booster in the car so i was able to start it-what do you guys think caused this? i'm quite certain my dome lights where off along w/ the parking lights-car is copletely stock along w/ the radio-no aftermarket add ons...car is the same way it left the factory...any suggestions? thanks,rob 88is;90 m3;91 talon awd

I had the same problem when i bought my 85 318i.
what u need to do is get a digital meter. First
check the voltage with the car NOT running.
it should read around 12.7 volts DC.Then start
the car and the volts should raise to around 14.3
volts DC . Give or take a few 10s. This will tell
if the charging system is working.
Next with the car not running and every thing
turned off,disconnect the negitive battery term.
Place the meter on the amp mode, and in series
between the cable and the batterys negitive post.
On my 318i the current went to 2.3 amps DC.
then after a few seconds it went to .2 amps and stayed. I think The radio and the OBC draw this
all the time. I Hope this helps let me know???
there.

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