New 2U

[dutch doyle]

Just joined. No knowledge of what is under the bonnet of a car, but love my 1998 1.9 Z3. Have had starting problems and use a battery booster, which needs recharged after use. I have removed boot light, and fitted a new headlight switch (mechanic said side lights were always on??). Read on here, it may be the electric seat connections, and then someone said a "heavy duty" battery was the answer.........nothing is working as yet.
It does mess my head up having to use booster at every stop......I'm beginning to "fall out of love".....HELP!!

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome on board

I'm sure someone with better electrical skills than me will be along. I tend to always assume it's a dead battery for things like this...

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London, I agree with gazHyde I'm sure somebody will help.

 

[Low Rider]

Welcome

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland .
1st thing i would ask is have you have the battery and alternator outputs properly checked.

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome from me too

 

[Jjim]

Hi and welcome.

Do you have a voltmeter?
First thing to check is the battery voltage with the engine off and then with it running.

With the engine off it should be around 12.4V, with the engine running it should be around 14V.
If it's not around 14V with the engine running you have an alternator issue. If it is around 14V running and then drops below 12V when off then the battery is not holding charge.

With the engine off and the voltage dropping (tested in 30min intervals) then you have a drain, and something is drawing power when it shouldn't.

Now that you have changed the light switch, are all of the lights working as they should and staying off when the engine is off?

 

[Nodzed]

 

[Cooper]

Welcome from Tasmania Australia!
Post up the last 7 digits of your VIN and I will get you some great info on your car!

You've come to the right place to get awesome advice and make new friends.You will fall back in love in no time!

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland! The issue you are having is a small one hopefully - and as @Jjim as suggested perform a few checks and take it from there - a step at a time and you should be fine in no time!

 

[FRANKIE]

Just joined. No knowledge of what is under the bonnet of a car, but love my 1998 1.9 Z3. Have had starting problems and use a battery booster, which needs recharged after use. I have removed boot light, and fitted a new headlight switch (mechanic said side lights were always on??). Read on here, it may be the electric seat connections, and then someone said a "heavy duty" battery was the answer.........nothing is working as yet.
It does mess my head up having to use booster at every stop......I'm beginning to "fall out of love".....HELP!!

Welcome to the forum from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.................Frankie

 

[dutch doyle]

Welcome on board

I'm sure someone with better electrical skills than me will be along. I tend to always assume it's a dead battery for things like this...

 

[dutch doyle]

Ta for ure interest, great to feel that U guys are keen to help...Thank you.

 

[dutch doyle]

Welcome to the forum from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.................Frankie

Ta for ure interest.....I'm keen to keep this little car

 

[dutch doyle]

Welcome from Ireland! The issue you are having is a small one hopefully - and as @Jjim as suggested perform a few checks and take it from there - a step at a time and you should be fine in no time!

Thank you, I keep getting my mechanic to try all that is suggested.

 

[dutch doyle]

Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

Thank you, if I can say Taff....from a "Paddy."

 

[dutch doyle]

Welcome from Tasmania Australia!
Post up the last 7 digits of your VIN and I will get you some great info on your car!

You've come to the right place to get awesome advice and make new friends.You will fall back in love in no time!

Thank you for ure reply.LD10956 is what you are asking for?

 

[dutch doyle]

Hi and welcome.

Do you have a voltmeter?
First thing to check is the battery voltage with the engine off and then with it running.

With the engine off it should be around 12.4V, with the engine running it should be around 14V.
If it's not around 14V with the engine running you have an alternator issue. If it is around 14V running and then drops below 12V when off then the battery is not holding charge.

With the engine off and the voltage dropping (tested in 30min intervals) then you have a drain, and something is drawing power when it shouldn't.

Now that you have changed the light switch, are all of the lights working as they should and staying off when the engine is off?

Mechanic changed light switch, and I drove home 10 miles. Had to use portable jump starter to start up, then had to use it again when home. Have to use the jump starter every time, no matter how far I have travelled. The portable has to be charged up after each use, and there has been times when even IT hasn't started me up for a return journey. Battery is not holding a charge it seems, and I'm sure Mechanic has checked the 12.4V and 14V, but I will check him out again. Lights are working ON/Off but they were also working on the old light switch. I don't know what may be draining the battery, as the Mechanic got a BMW guy to test the battery and he couldn't find a drain on his "magic" little computer gadget. I'm determined to sort it....so Thank You.

 

[dutch doyle]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland .
1st thing i would ask is have you have the battery and alternator outputs properly checked.

Ta for your interest. Yeh I am going to start again with that. Thank you for the welcome.