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Message started by jandaso on 03/26/11 at 15:17:46

Title: Car question
Post by jandaso on 03/26/11 at 15:17:46

So my friend has a 1981 BMW 320 and every time the car is on the battery light will come on. Also, the car will not
Hold the charge for more than a day. The alternator was swap for a new one. Any suggestions?

Title: Re: Car question
Post by rl153 on 03/26/11 at 18:03:18

test the alternator at auto zone . if it's good buy a new battery.

Title: Re: Car question
Post by groupus on 03/26/11 at 18:44:26

first off, nice car. I love old bimmers; I got a '86 325 myself that i plan to drive until the wheels fall off, glue them back on, and drive it some more. ;D
now, the battery light should mean that its not charging right or the battery is shot. i think auto zone or advanced auto can test both of those and charge the battery. thats a good place to start.
I also know that the e30s (like mine) have an issue where a single-shielded wire to the reverse lights runs past the shift linkage and can get worn through after time, causing a short. this drains the battery and just sucks in general.

so if its not the alternator, then it could either be a battery that won't hold a charge or a short. test for shorts by pulling the fuses and checking resistance across the circuits with an ohmmeter with the ignition off and the battery disconnected. some circuits should have a small leak current, like the clock and radio to maintain presets. but if his won't last a day, its probably a big leak or a crap battery.

best of luck!

Title: Re: Car question
Post by Boofer on 03/26/11 at 23:03:24

First things first. Make sure the belt is tight enough. Then check for battery drain with a simple test light. Unhook positive cable and put test light between cable and battery. If it lights without key turned on start looking for whatever is on all the time without permission.

Title: Re: Car question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/27/11 at 05:26:38

Volttage regulator could be the bad guy.

So many have internal V regs now,, still, if its ike the AC/Delco, its easy to replace. Id rather spend 15 on a regulator than 80 on an alternator.
Either one gos bad & itll wipe the battery out quick if ya dont find out whats up..

Title: Re: Car question
Post by jandaso on 03/27/11 at 08:02:19

We will be working on it next week. I will let you know what happens. Thanks for the pointers.

Title: Re: Car question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/27/11 at 09:09:23

I hope yur battery is watered up & charged up.