Battery

I went to put my wives 2003, 325 cic in the garage tonight and all I got was a clicking noise.
I had lights, etc., but not enough juice to turn over the motor. Battery was 4 years old last month, no hint of problems until today. I jumped the car and it started right up, noticed a battery picture in and around the gage on the dash. I'm going to take it to the Indy shop tomorrow and hope its the battery and not the alternator. Any thoughts ?
Ladderman

99.9% chance it`s the battery....the last 2 new BMWs I bought, the batteries failed almost 4 years to the day after taking delivery....

Walmart or Autozone has a suitable replacement for $100.

If the battery light is on there is a good chance the alternator went on vacation.

Sent from my C771 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by ladderman

I went to put my wives 2003, 325 cic in the garage tonight and all I got was a clicking noise.
I had lights, etc., but not enough juice to turn over the motor. Battery was 4 years old last month, no hint of problems until today. I jumped the car and it started right up, noticed a battery picture in and around the gage on the dash. I'm going to take it to the Indy shop tomorrow and hope its the battery and not the alternator. Any thoughts ?
Ladderman

Indy shop good plan. How many wives involved? Just curious.

Originally Posted by ProRail

Indy shop good plan. How many wives involved? Just curious.

One, 45 yrs yesterday, I don't know how she did it !

Originally Posted by ladderman

One, 45 yrs yesterday, I don't know how she did it !

Gratz !

This is from the E39 bestlinks, but it should apply equally well to the E46:
- How to test a BMW E39 battery & alternator (1)

Easy to use the hidden OBC functions to monitor charging voltage.
Start the car and read the voltage this way.
If your car boosts the voltage when running, probably only need a battery. Try that.

If no voltage increase when running, probably alternator.

Do the test and report back with details.

Originally Posted by GoForthFast

Easy to use the hidden OBC functions to monitor charging voltage.
Start the car and read the voltage this way.
If your car boosts the voltage when running, probably only need a battery. Try that.

If no voltage increase when running, probably alternator.

Do the test and report back with details.

Battery was dead as Kealsey's nuts this morning. Jumped the battery and drove to the Indy shop, battery icon was showing most of the way. Shop owner initially thought it was a battery problem, after some testing said it was the alternator. As noted in my post, battery is four years old, it is a BMW factory issue. I am slowly but surely rebuilding this automobile.
Had a starter and intake manifold runner valve installed 6 weeks ago, also rear springs and oil sensor before that. Wife loves the car and wants to keep it,80 K. I also like BMW's, but I'm dismayed at the apparent lack of reliabilty and the cost factor to keep them on the road.
I have a 2008 Acura Tl. type S, it seems bullet -proof. Everytime I get set to pull the trigger on a BMW purchase I read another horror story on this forum. Thanks for the suggestion, I enjoy this forum and Im convinced that a BMW is in my future.
Ladderman

Originally Posted by suthtow

If the battery light is on there is a good chance the alternator went on vacation.

Sent from my C771 using Bimmer App

Thanks, Indy shop said the alternator is GONE-SO
Ladderman

Learn to DIY, most of the stuff Is easy and saves you thousands of $, but takes some time and tools of course. For example, alternator is a 1 hour job with basic hand tools.

+1 on what Starless said.

OP, if you're new, read the WIKI and familiarize yourself with the cooling system and pulley issues you may be facing at 80k miles, if you haven't already. Nothing worse than getting a new alternator and find out in 6 months one of the pulleys was kaput and throws your belt off, and the water pump function along with it.

An ounce of prevention, as they say.

Originally Posted by ladderman

I also like BMW's, but I'm dismayed at the apparent lack of reliabilty and the cost factor to keep them on the road.
I have a 2008 Acura Tl. type S, it seems bullet -proof. Everytime I get set to pull the trigger on a BMW purchase I read another horror story on this forum. Thanks for the suggestion, I enjoy this forum and Im convinced that a BMW is in my future.
Ladderman

Excuse us, but your BMW is FIVE years older than your Acura, and NINE years old itself. There are many wear items on a BMW so this car will require attention. And best to be able to DIY to avoid large expenses.
I've driven lots of Japanese cars, and with less maintenance required, I'd rather spend more time under the hood of my BMW in order to drive it rather than an Acura. Personal choice, but worth it for me.

And this board is not a survey about BMW's as much as the place to come where we discuss mostly the problems and how to deal with them. Naturally we have all the failures discussed here.

Originally Posted by ladderman

Battery was dead as Kealsey's nuts this morning. Jumped the battery and drove to the Indy shop, battery icon was showing most of the way. Shop owner initially thought it was a battery problem, after some testing said it was the alternator. As noted in my post, battery is four years old, it is a BMW factory issue. I am slowly but surely rebuilding this automobile.
Had a starter and intake manifold runner valve installed 6 weeks ago, also rear springs and oil sensor before that. Wife loves the car and wants to keep it,80 K. I also like BMW's, but I'm dismayed at the apparent lack of reliability and the cost factor to keep them on the road.
I have a 2008 Acura Tl. type S, it seems bullet -proof. Everytime I get set to pull the trigger on a BMW purchase I read another horror story on this forum. Thanks for the suggestion, I enjoy this forum and Im convinced that a BMW is in my future.
Ladderman

The only problem with comparing them is not all cars have been maintained the same or driven the same.

When your acura gets to almost 300,000 miles I'll be happy to compare repair costs vs my 2000 bmw 323i.

I just drive and drive it and besides minor stuff its very reliable. Far more reliable than my inlaws toyotas or friends nissans so far. They have gone thru I dont know how many cars and my bmw is still racking up the miles.

1 battery in 12 years

1 fan clutch at around 220,000 miles

power window regulators used to fail but after using gummi pfledge that doesnt happen anymore

Still on the same shocks, suspension components etc aka all factory.

Heck my tires still look like new and this set has at least 50,000 miles on them.

So I dont think of a bmw as a high maintenance or expensive to keep on the road car. In fact my bmw is my econobox car. Cheapest thing I own cost wise.

On a side note I will be changing my sway bar end links tomorrow as they have started to rattle. I think it set in around 230,000 miles about 4 years ago....

Im bad about putting things off sometimes

I recently put in the Turner Motorsports H&R sway bars and the results are fantastic. Corners with much more force and less sway. And ride comfort is hardly affected.
Best cost for benefit you could choose.

Originally Posted by GoForthFast

Excuse us, but your BMW is FIVE years older than your Acura, and NINE years old itself. There are many wear items on a BMW so this car will require attention. And best to be able to DIY to avoid large expenses.
I've driven lots of Japanese cars, and with less maintenance required, I'd rather spend more time under the hood of my BMW in order to drive it rather than an Acura. Personal choice, but worth it for me.

And this board is not a survey about BMW's as much as the place to come where we discuss mostly the problems and how to deal with them. Naturally we have all the failures discussed here.

I obviously hit a nerve and that was not my intention. I truly love BMW's and I'm constantly driving to the dealership and checking out the lastest arrivals. Maybe I have been unduly influenced by the articles and reviews that I have read and talking to former owners. My only experience with BMW has been my wives automobile and it really has not been bad. As for doing my own maintenance, I'm way past that stage in my life, so I'll just keep quiet and take the pain. I enjoy this forum and the enthusiasm that it's members exhibit.
Ladderman

Originally Posted by crowz

The only problem with comparing them is not all cars have been maintained the same or driven the same.

When your acura gets to almost 300,000 miles I'll be happy to compare repair costs vs my 2000 bmw 323i.

I just drive and drive it and besides minor stuff its very reliable. Far more reliable than my inlaws toyotas or friends nissans so far. They have gone thru I dont know how many cars and my bmw is still racking up the miles.

1 battery in 12 years

1 fan clutch at around 220,000 miles

power window regulators used to fail but after using gummi pfledge that doesnt happen anymore

Still on the same shocks, suspension components etc aka all factory.

Heck my tires still look like new and this set has at least 50,000 miles on them.

So I dont think of a bmw as a high maintenance or expensive to keep on the road car. In fact my bmw is my econobox car. Cheapest thing I own cost wise.

As I stated in my other post, I'm not bashing BMW's. I read the articles and reviews of owners and consider them when thinking of purchasing a BMW. I really like the automobiles and truly believe I will be buying one in the near future. As for doing my own maintenance, it s not going to happen. I think its great you do yours and I'm impressed with the longevity of your vehicle.
ladderman