kbell093
01-04-2016, 05:45 AM
2004 BMW 330i ZHP
Sorry if you aren't trying to read this much but I really need some advise here.
Last week the car was hesitating to start like the battery wasn't charged up, but it did start first try. Leaving work the car wouldn't start so I got a jump and it started just fine, drove home 30 minutes. Decided to charge up the battery using a battery charger that night. Next day car started like normal on the way to work. Leaving work, it hesitated again but started. Driving home, the traction, abs, and yellow brake light appeared for 5 seconds then went away. Minute later, my radio turned off and on a lot and the three lights came back for about 15 seconds. Got home and the car wouldn't start. Pulled a battery out of my old 325 that shitted out on me that's only a year old but never actually used since the car bit it before I used it. But it's been sitting it the trunk of the 325 that hasn't turned on or even moved in a year. To make sure it wasn't a battery issue, put in the newer battery cause the one that was originally in there was about 5 or 6 years old. Made sure it was charged up and the car was running good for about a day or so then it drained again. Next thing I did was pull the alternator out cause I got it tested and it did fail so I got another one and put that in. Still the same thing happening. Had to charge the battery every night for the next day, but would always drain by the end of the day. Pulled the newer battery out and got it tested and it showed it was a good battery. So basically I have a year old battery that's apparently still good, new but remanufactured alternator from advance auto (needed one that day or I would have ordered a brand new one online). I really don't think it's the starter cause whenever I jump it it turns on perfectly, just won't turn on with the key. If the car starts on a jump first time, it shouldn't be the starter right? When I do try to start the car with just the key, nothing happens. No clicks, no cranks, nothing. But all of my electronics in the car still work (angel eyes, navi and radio, ac/heater, seat warmers, interior lights, etc.) So basically I'm wondering what is going on and why the battery just won't keep a charge on a "good" battery that's never been used (voltmeter reads abour 12.5 when car is off after charging) and a new alternator. The only way to get it going is a jump or charge. I've been all over the forums and everyone says different things but I haven't seen these particular symptoms so I'm coming to you guys. Please help me out here. Anything you guys can contribute or know what the problem is, let me know please. It doesn't sound like the starter and I'm hoping it's not since it cranks on a jump or charge easy. The battery just drains out on the daily. After this, I was thinking ground wires around the car, especially under the passenger side engine to chassis(just got AA headers put in a week before all this so I'm sure that had to be disconnected at some point). I'll check em out tomorrow to make sure there is no corrosion or loose cables anywhere. Pep boys charged and tested the battery and it said it was good. Could a battery be claimed as a good battery still be bad and not be able to hold a charge? Or could it be the battery cables that could be going from the alternator to the battery? Please help anyone! Thank you!
Sorry if you aren't trying to read this much but I really need some advise here.
Last week the car was hesitating to start like the battery wasn't charged up, but it did start first try. Leaving work the car wouldn't start so I got a jump and it started just fine, drove home 30 minutes. Decided to charge up the battery using a battery charger that night. Next day car started like normal on the way to work. Leaving work, it hesitated again but started. Driving home, the traction, abs, and yellow brake light appeared for 5 seconds then went away. Minute later, my radio turned off and on a lot and the three lights came back for about 15 seconds. Got home and the car wouldn't start. Pulled a battery out of my old 325 that shitted out on me that's only a year old but never actually used since the car bit it before I used it. But it's been sitting it the trunk of the 325 that hasn't turned on or even moved in a year. To make sure it wasn't a battery issue, put in the newer battery cause the one that was originally in there was about 5 or 6 years old. Made sure it was charged up and the car was running good for about a day or so then it drained again. Next thing I did was pull the alternator out cause I got it tested and it did fail so I got another one and put that in. Still the same thing happening. Had to charge the battery every night for the next day, but would always drain by the end of the day. Pulled the newer battery out and got it tested and it showed it was a good battery. So basically I have a year old battery that's apparently still good, new but remanufactured alternator from advance auto (needed one that day or I would have ordered a brand new one online). I really don't think it's the starter cause whenever I jump it it turns on perfectly, just won't turn on with the key. If the car starts on a jump first time, it shouldn't be the starter right? When I do try to start the car with just the key, nothing happens. No clicks, no cranks, nothing. But all of my electronics in the car still work (angel eyes, navi and radio, ac/heater, seat warmers, interior lights, etc.) So basically I'm wondering what is going on and why the battery just won't keep a charge on a "good" battery that's never been used (voltmeter reads abour 12.5 when car is off after charging) and a new alternator. The only way to get it going is a jump or charge. I've been all over the forums and everyone says different things but I haven't seen these particular symptoms so I'm coming to you guys. Please help me out here. Anything you guys can contribute or know what the problem is, let me know please. It doesn't sound like the starter and I'm hoping it's not since it cranks on a jump or charge easy. The battery just drains out on the daily. After this, I was thinking ground wires around the car, especially under the passenger side engine to chassis(just got AA headers put in a week before all this so I'm sure that had to be disconnected at some point). I'll check em out tomorrow to make sure there is no corrosion or loose cables anywhere. Pep boys charged and tested the battery and it said it was good. Could a battery be claimed as a good battery still be bad and not be able to hold a charge? Or could it be the battery cables that could be going from the alternator to the battery? Please help anyone! Thank you!