Help Needed Please Urgently

EnthuZiaZT

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Points
193
Location
Heacham Norfolk
Model of Z
Z4 28i Msport
One thing you might consider in the short term. A battery isolator switch. they are relatively inexpensive and would be easier to disconnect the battery when you leave the car.
Looking at the thread, my first thought is that the alternator is not charging the battery properly and need replacing.

Mike
 

Harleybob09

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 22, 2016
Points
14
Location
Gunthorpe, Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Hi Tracey, am an ex tech but live in Lincolnshire so can't help much but you need to get someone to stick on an ameter to see if you have a current drain on idle if not it could well be alternator that's not charging properly. I know you said no red light on dash but that still doesn't rule out a faulty alternator, I would try changing that first.

Bob.
 

windym

Zorg Guru (II)
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 10, 2015
Points
123
Hi Tracey, am an ex tech but live in Lincolnshire so can't help much but you need to get someone to stick on an ameter to see if you have a current drain on idle if not it could well be alternator that's not charging properly. I know you said no red light on dash but that still doesn't rule out a faulty alternator, I would try changing that first.

Bob.
Hi that is what I will do and put a code reader on it.

Andy
 

windym

Zorg Guru (II)
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 10, 2015
Points
123
How many miles do you run the car for when you use it?

Andy
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
The battery really needs to be fully charged to do a proper test. You can't test a half charged one.

Tony.
 

Tracy Dee

Zorg Guru (III)
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 3, 2015
Points
145
Location
Hertfordshire
4 hours on trickle charger and it now starts I know it probably needs longer but it's a street car so cable has to come in as its across pavement. Will try to get another couple hours on tomorrow.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Try and get as much charge in the battery as you can Tracey before seeing Andy at the weekend. Good luck, I hope you can get to the bottom of this. I wish I was closer so I could help.:)

Tony.
 

Tracy Dee

Zorg Guru (III)
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 3, 2015
Points
145
Location
Hertfordshire
Just wondering if it could be a dude battery I know it's only 6 weeks old but I guess even a new battery can be faulty.
Will try a couple of hours tomorrow and some on Saturday morning before Andy checks it out.
Very kind offer Tony most of the offers have come from people miles away very kind appreciated.
Tracy
 

windym

Zorg Guru (II)
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 10, 2015
Points
123
Hi, need to check what the alternator is putting back into the battery. Have you checked the earth from the battery, to make sure it is tight and not corroded?



Andy
 

windym

Zorg Guru (II)
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 10, 2015
Points
123
Hi its worth checking the terminals for tightness and yes in the boot.

Andy
 

smiffy

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 1, 2015
Points
147
Location
Lowestoft
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 pre-facelift in Montreal Blue
That's really kind of you to offer to take a look just wish we were nearer .
Hoping a kind sole nearer might come forward with the same equipment and knowledge if not I may have to take up the offer it's just finding the time to travel so far.
Really struggling with this dam issue iam having thoughts of getting shot.
Many thanks again nice to know someones offered.
Tracy.
The trouble with Lowestoft is its closer to Netherlands than most of the UK! we ain't close to anywhere.

Good luck saturday. Don't give up on the zed, if you sell it and buy something else of the same value, it will probably have its own problems. you'll get there.
 

Tracy Dee

Zorg Guru (III)
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 3, 2015
Points
145
Location
Hertfordshire
Checked battery earth cable does not appear to have corrosion and it's mega tight.
Will try to get a couple of hours on the charger later when home.
Cheers.
Cliff.
 

Redline

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Points
208
Location
Nuneaton
Model of Z
E89 20i msport
Could be lots of things to be honest so not the easiest of problems to fix. But, don't lose heart in the car - it just needs some detective work.

Unlikely to be the battery (at least not directly). You've checked both the battery terminals for tightness - another frequent problem?
Most likely to be the alternator - simply not charging enough but just enough to keep the warning light off. Could be a faulty component in the alternator allowing current to back feed and drain the battery when its not in use.

When you've discounted the alternator its time to start working out what drawing the current when the car isn't running.
Will need some way of detecting the current being drawn at the battery terminal and then remove fuses individually until the culprit is found. Start with the things that are live all the time - door locking, alarm etc. Laborious but that should narrow the problem down to one or more issues. If and when you've found something don't stop and assume it's the only problem - continue and check everything else - could be more than one.

Another thought - Do you use a Bluetooth phone through your radio?
I've had problems before, especially if you're on a call when you stop and get out the car while still on the call - the radio remains active and may not shut off even when you've finished your call or moved out of BT distance. A minor software glitch can cause havoc and appear in unexpected ways.
 

Tracy Dee

Zorg Guru (III)
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 3, 2015
Points
145
Location
Hertfordshire
Hi Andy.
Thanks for looking at my car today it was very kind of you.
No drains, no error codes, battery looks sound as its new.
Very strange.
But I appreciate your help.
Oh just ordered a powerflex diff bush to be fitted at some stage in the future when it next goes into the garage for its service.
Once again thank you.
Hope to see you soon.
Tracy.
 

Tracy Dee

Zorg Guru (III)
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 3, 2015
Points
145
Location
Hertfordshire
Hi all once again not a happy bunny.
After Andy kindly checked my car with the issues mention above I used it that Saturday to Cambridge a 70 mile round trip the next Thursday I used it today Tuesday I went to start it this afternoon for work flat again.
Really at the end of the line with it. The cars just not reliable for my Tuesday work day I need it for.
I am going to take the 6 week old battery back to euro car parts to exchange it just in case it's duff but I doubt it.
Anyone please with an idea or help otherwise I fear the worse for my Zed its getting beyond a joke now.
Regards
Tracy.
 

windym

Zorg Guru (II)
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 10, 2015
Points
123
Hi, did you have the blue tooth music controller removed?

Andy
 
Top