2nd Battery In 4 Months????

[Rich328]

I've just had to put another battery on my car - the second in 4 months, i came back from my holiday to find it flat and so charged it up

only to find it went flat again!"

anyone know what could be causing this?

its a 1998 328i convertible

[xsperf]

alternator

[Speedy-325is]

alternator.

always possability of a wire shorting out the system and draining the battery.

but most likely the alternator. get it tested for free at pepboys, autozone, parts plus, ect. ect. (testing alternators while on the car wont always give u an accurate reading.) thats why u remove it and take it to any listed parts place for FREE testing.

Mark

[NeverLeaned]

Alternator or you got a short in your system somewhere.


Not sure if you can do this with computer controlled bimmers, but with older cars you could simply removed the + led with the key off, then place it back on the terminal. If it made a spark then you either have a short in your system or an electrical device that is stuck on drawing on your battery.

Im sure there is a more scientific approach to testing your system for a draw or short.

[sygreasemonkey]

Are you using a BMW battery? I have seen a lot of problems with aftermarket batteries in bimmers. Also check your alternator. and finally try performing a parasitic drain test with an amp meter. this test is performed to see if something is being left on when the car is off causing the battery to have excess strain.

[Furious]

personally if your not gonna use BMW batteries use interstate.

[bitcore]

Originally posted by sygreasemonkey@Nov 1 2004, 02:03 AM
I have seen a lot of problems with aftermarket batteries in bimmers.

[snapback]222033[/snapback]

Like what?