Starting problems on E30

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Glyn - 11 Apr 2004 19:00 GMT

Hello,

Im having problems starting my E30 after it has been left unattended for a
while, when i turn the ignition the engine wont turn over then the battery
goes completely dead. If i do a quick battery charge then start it, it
starts fine. Ive got 12v going through the battery which is fine, but when i
start the engine apparently it should go upto 14-15v but it only hits 13.8v
and when i turn on the headlights the voltage drops but never returns. I
tested the alternator and it only hits 13v What is causing this problem? Is
it the battery, voltage regulator or the alternator. Does any one have any
suggestions or had a problem like this before?

Cheers Glyn

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Randolph - 12 Apr 2004 01:42 GMT

My guess would be the battery. A bad battery can draw a large current
from the alternator and still not hold a charge. If the battery is more
than 4 - 5 years old, I would replace it regardless, at that age it
wouldn't have much life left anyway.

As a diagnostic you could take a known-good battery from a different car
and hook it up to the E30. If it does not physically fit in the car, use
jumper cables. (Do not leave the old battery in the circuit). Start the
E30 and make your observations with voltage vs. load (lights, fans etc.)
at idle and higher RPM.

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Cheers Glyn

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Dave Plowman - 13 Apr 2004 09:53 GMT

> A bad battery can draw a large current from the alternator and still
> not hold a charge.

Most commonly, one or more cells on a battery goes 'high' when it fails
causing the current drawn from the alternator to drop, not rise. While I
suppose it's possible for a cell to short, I've not come across it.

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Dave Plowman dave.sound@argonet.co.uk London SW 12
RIP Acorn

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Dave - 13 Apr 2004 00:51 GMT

>Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Cheers Glyn

Late followup but anyway... check there is no excessive leakage current drain
from the battery when everything should be off. More than a few 10's of mA is a
problem. Check boot light switch, glove box switch and much more importantly (as
I had a similar problem) the drivers doorlock heater! (If fitted obviously!).
Mine was drawing 5.5 A at random times. (Not any more though).
Check alternator brush length - a replacment regulator which includes the
brushes is available - about £20ukp.

I take it the fanbelt is ok :-)

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Rod Gray - 16 Apr 2004 02:04 GMT

Disconnect the negative cable from the battery and connect a test lite from
the cable to the battery. If it lights , then you have a current draw that
will kill the battery usually over night. While it is still connected, pull
the fuses one by one until the light goes out. That is the circuit where the
draw is. It could be a relay but that is rare.

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Cheers Glyn

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