Battery failure on E34

"JimV" <jv9999 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Ub6dnRZVUdsilm7cRVn-1w@comcast.com...
 > deadmail DeleteThis @burnt.org.uk wrote:
  >> I've had an E34 520 for about a year. I use it about twice a week to
  >> drive 100 miles.
  >>
  >> I had last used in on Sunday (only a short journey, about 10 miles) and
  >> then when I started it on Thursday the car turned over a little slower
  >> then usual (it normally starts really easily) but this time I could hear
  >> it was struggling to turn over the battery.
  >>
  >> When I used it again on Friday it started fine. I tried it again today
  >> (after it had been standing for about 15 hours)
  >> and it didn't have enough power to spin the engine much at all. About
  >> enough to turn it over for five seconds before it died.
  >>
  >> Since it was fine on Friday (on that 100 mile journey I stopped twice,
  >> it started fine both times) I'm guessing it's more likely a battery than
  >> a charging problem. I suppose it could be something's drawing more idle
  >> current than it should though.
  >>
  >> I thought I'd check what current it drawed with the ignition off before
  >> I replace the battery (sixty uk pounds!), anyone got any ideas what sort
  >> of figure I should be looking at? I'm guessing a few milliamps.
  >>
  >> The alarm (BMW fit) is switched off if it makes any difference.
  >>
  >> All advice gratefully received!
 >
 > ABout 60MA would be normal. How old is the battery? If more than 3 yrs,
 > I'd replace it regardless.

Agree, I would replace it too. Is the battery in your 520 in the engine
compartment or under the rear seat? I ask because I have a 535i with the
battery under the rear seat and my last battery, a, plug, Sears Diehard,
lasted 9 years. I recently replaced it with one from Kragen (Checkers in
some parts of the country) and we will see how long that one last....<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

Those bloody batteries!

And for 60 Pounds Sterling! Those bastards!

Yeah, UK. Replace the battery, and clean all the start system
electrical connections as insurance.

Usually, a worn starter spins slow all the time (worn brushes.) But a
bad battery is sometimes strong, and then weak, depending on the recent
recharge. I nursed and recharged a BMW battery for months, and then
noticed one cell wasn't reacting to the recharge, not bubbling a bit.
Time for a new battery.

Best wishes,
Chevy Chase
 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

In article <Ub6dnRZVUdsilm7cRVn-1w.DeleteThis@comcast.com>,
JimV <jv9999.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
 > How old is the battery? If more than 3 yrs,
 > I'd replace it regardless.

A decent battery place should have an electronic tester which will give
chapter and verse on the battery state.

--
*When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded *

Dave Plowman dave.DeleteThis@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

In article <kf57v0dtuom3djgei3elervrk9l609rilp.TakeThisOut@4ax.com>,
<deadmail.TakeThisOut@burnt.org.uk> wrote:
 > The battery's dated 1999 so it's about 6 years old. Might be time to
 > replace it I suppose.

It certainly doesn't owe you anything. I'm pleased to get 4 years out of
one.

--
*Who is this General Failure chap anyway - and why is he reading my HD? *

Dave Plowman dave.TakeThisOut@davenoise.co.uk London SW
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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 13:01:38 +0000, deadmail.TakeThisOut@burnt.org.uk wrote:

 > "Dave Plowman (News)" <dave.TakeThisOut@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
 ><4d31c14495dave.TakeThisOut@davenoise.co.uk>:
 >
  >>In article <kf57v0dtuom3djgei3elervrk9l609rilp.TakeThisOut@4ax.com>,
  >> <deadmail.TakeThisOut@burnt.org.uk> wrote:
   >>> The battery's dated 1999 so it's about 6 years old. Might be time to
   >>> replace it I suppose.
  >>
  >>It certainly doesn't owe you anything. I'm pleased to get 4 years out of
  >>one.
 >
 >Whilst I don't deny that, any excuse to avoid spending money is always
 >welcome...

Fine, so long as you don't mind being stranded somewhere when the
battery actually carries out the clear threat it just made...
--
Dan Drake<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

In article <ujc7v0tplu5n0h7in2lldfp9lu3kee111m RemoveThis @4ax.com>,
Dan Drake <ddrake RemoveThis @comcast.notthis.net> wrote:
  > >Whilst I don't deny that, any excuse to avoid spending money is always
  > >welcome...

 > Fine, so long as you don't mind being stranded somewhere when the
 > battery actually carries out the clear threat it just made...

Most likely it will fail on the first start of the day after getting good
and cold overnight. Which usually means at home?

--
*My dog can lick anyone

Dave Plowman dave RemoveThis @davenoise.co.uk London SW
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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

In article <l087v0lte792a248dnm70j7ac72m8t4ngu DeleteThis @4ax.com>,
<deadmail DeleteThis @burnt.org.uk> wrote:
  > >It certainly doesn't owe you anything. I'm pleased to get 4 years out of
  > >one.

 > Whilst I don't deny that, any excuse to avoid spending money is always
 > welcome...

You're telling this to an Aberdonian?

--
*I don't work here. I'm a consultant

Dave Plowman dave DeleteThis @davenoise.co.uk London SW
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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

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 >> Stay informed about: Battery failure on E34 

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