Another flat battery

Paul Rice

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 7, 2013
Points
198
Location
Doncaster
Model of Z
Z4 2.5
Thankfully not mine but a new Z4 owner with a flat battery?
Had new battery fitted (correct one for car) terminals nice and tight
14v going through battery when charged and engine running
All courtesy lights extinguish as required including glove box and boot

Code reader suggests a fault with radio but non specific?
Car locks itself when left with keys out of ignition and left for a short while?
Battery totally flat after 7 days

Thoughts lead to Alarm but any suggestions would be most welcome.
 

Rha

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Points
181
Location
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England.
Model of Z
Z4 coupe sport.
I would start with isolating any radio extras that’s been added Paul then remove radio power fuse. Both these options will still only give you an area (depending what scanner is available)after you cancel faults then run car again. Alarm same thing although isolating the alarm may not be an option as they’ve usually got a back up batt somewhere. Vehicle electrician would be the way I would go if it’s nothing obvious, even at their high daily rate it may be worth it, quicker than going round in circles for hrs. BMW main agent will cost £100+ Just to put their code reader on it so usually out the question. Sounds like the previous owner may have had the same problems hence UNW. Key fob plus spare is a bit of a long shot cos it's locking itself, so I would remove key from area or wrapp it in kitchen foul, at least you'll know it's not that if it still locks itself. Look in all vehicle history for any elect work that's been carried out recently. Hope this helps, it's just hard to fathom when the electrics play up as it's really a specialist field. Good luck.

Roy.
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
221
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
One common offender is a broken tab that switches off the light for the center console/box that's behind the driver/passenger where the satnav / CD player is. look and see if that light is staying lit even with the cover closed.
 

Geoff Crispin

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Points
145
Location
Somerset
Model of Z
3 1.9 & 3.0
I am no expert but would suggest put a code reader on it, maybe a short somewhere.
 

mid life crisis

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Points
95
Location
Worcester
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
If you disconnect the battery -ve cable and then put an ammeter between the battery terminal & the cable it should tell you if a current is being drawn, you could pull the fuses out one by one to find out it should indicate what is still live.
Gary
 
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