Hi guys hope everyone's well. Went to the z today and the battery was flat only used it Tuesday and weird that it was flat, always goes flat after a couple of weeks. Anyway put battery on charge earlier just reconnected the battery and can hear an intermittent clunking coming from somewhere on the passenger side I know its vague sounds like dash area. But felt passenger seat and could possibly feel it in the seat, that would explain the battery going flat though if somethings is playing up. But has anyone had any experience with this. Sorry for the rubbish description
Flat battery
- Thread starter 2bmws
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
If you have powered seats maybe one of the switches is jammed causing one of the seat motors to continualy run draining the battery.
Once you get the car started put a voltmeter on the battery and see what its charginbg like, you should see about 14volts if the alternator is putting out voltage.
Once you get the car started put a voltmeter on the battery and see what its charginbg like, you should see about 14volts if the alternator is putting out voltage.
Will check when I finish work, went to use it this morning and battery weak so put it on charge again.
Googling and found a video off an e39 with the same clunking noise
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bbvm6scUui0&feature=youtu.be
Googling and found a video off an e39 with the same clunking noise
Also found the thread and he reckons heater resistor
Tried to find drain before and couldn't, but clicking is new
Tried to find drain before and couldn't, but clicking is new
My battery drained and it was to do with passenger seat switch. I had 'fixed' it previously but the inside moved and jammed. I do wonder it it was a previous issue as I found that there was no motor under the seat so replaced it a while back.
I had this exact problem. Passenger seat switch was stuck in the backward direction.
In my case I was sure my lectrics were ok so just assumed the battery was duff so went to buy a new one. On connecting the new battery the size of the spark told me there was a big drain. Then I heared the noise of the seat trying to back itself into the boot.
In my case I was sure my lectrics were ok so just assumed the battery was duff so went to buy a new one. On connecting the new battery the size of the spark told me there was a big drain. Then I heared the noise of the seat trying to back itself into the boot.
To avoid this, I never leave my electric seats at either end of their travel. EG, when I move a seat right back, I always tweak the switch briefly in the forward direction. A jammed seat with the switch still on draws about 10 amps.
And this reminds me of a tip my old Dad gave me years ago. When using a “stop tap” never leave it at the full extent of its travel, always back it off a half to a full turn to stop it sticking.
Tony.
That's why it's often the passenger seat. The ingrates over that side of the car do like to make themselves comfortable.
same here..bought a new battery as thought that was the cause originally (probably a good idea anyway as from the stock code it was very old). Then read something online and thought hmmmm, I'm sure I had heard some noise previously and the seat seemed further back than normal....bingo! Still put in new battery.
Cheers guys, I removed the fuse for the passenger seat motors, and also the fuse for the heater blowers only because the video showed the noise and its similar to what i heard last night although im not convinced its that. Checked voltage at the battery when idle its at 13.1v when I rev the car it goes to 13.8 13.9v so I'm assuming alternator is good. Gonna leave battery on charge now till about 5 then take it off would of had 12 hours charge then.
Disconnect the wire plugs from the seat switches as a temporary measure , it is likely you will need to replace the switch.
Tony.
Tony.