Battery problems

[dwforum]

The past month, I've had to jump start my car three times. The first two were close together, so I had the battery tested at a shop and the mechanic said the battery wasn't my problem. Then with a friend, I tested the alternator and regulator per the bentley manuals instructions, and that came up fine too. Then after a few weeks of no problems, it suddenly happened again. I drove about 3 blocks to the gas station, spent a few minutes putting air in my tires, and when I went to start the car, I found the battery dead. I don't drive my car all that often, maybe 5 or 6 mile drives a week, and the weather has been a little cold here...could that combination be causing my problem? Or is it more likely the battery itself, and should I get a second opinion as to whether or not I should replace it? I know next to nothing about a cars electrical system, so any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Danny

[kowalski]

hey, get a volt meter, and take off the ground on your battery with the ignition off and all radio equipment off all electronics off, take the ground off your battery, leave the postative on, get your volt meter, and put the postative end to the cable and the negative end to the negative side of the battery. if you have voltage you have a short somwhere in your electrical system and that is causing your battery to die.

[Alecs MacDonald]

Im bringing this thread back up for a quick queston. I just recently replaced my alternator as it was only putting out about 10 volts. After wiring up my new alternator i tested it again to see that it was putting out 13.9 volts. I was happy for a while untill i a week or so later i went to crank the car and the battery was dead. I tested it for a draw and it is pulling 22ma with all fuses as the car sits. This is isint enough to drain the battery in a week or so is it?

[kowalski]

i guess it is... your grounding out somwhere if you have an aftermarket radio check there first and then if you'v changed your headlights check there after that its going to be a pain in the ass to find check your draw at your alternator, put the checker on the battery and start pulliung fuses until the draw stops and thats your problem and find the wires and see where its grounding good luck and happy hunting

[Alecs MacDonald]

yea, i figured that but i know the alarm and clock memory has to draw SOME power and im just tryiing to figure out what is normal. Thanks for the quick responce though, it looks like ill be pullling fuses all day sniff

[kowalski]

haha yeah well the clock will draw some same with the radio for presets and stuff, but it wont be that much.

[Schniddy]

My car has been sitting out in the cold since about november. It hasnt been driven about a total of 5-10 miles since then. Everytime I go over my grandmas to work on the car I have to jump the battery. Do you think its a short or is it because the car has been sitting there and the battery needs replaced? When the car was being drivin nothing like was happening.

thanks in advance!

[e30sd]

check the glove box light. i had the same problem on two e30's, back to back.

[Schniddy]

check the glove box light. i had the same problem on two e30's, back to back.

The glove box light is out of the car right now. when i replaced the glovebox handle i took out that piece of plastic on top and I didnt put it in yet.

another thing. When I opened the trunk I noticed the battery was wet and ther was a little puddle of water in the tray. Do you think its from the taillight gasket?

[Alecs MacDonald]

10 miles in three months is dosent seem like enough to charge the battery, it would probly only pull it down further. If your leaving it at three months at a time, you should deffinetley disconnect the battery or buy a battery maintainer. As far as your trunk leak, yes the tail light gasket would be the most probable cause.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1113&mospid=47309&prod=19871100&btnr=63_0193&hg=63&fg=20

[DaN]

You sure it's not the battery leaking?

[kowalski]

see if it reactis with baking soda if it does its battery acid if its not its the gasket. 5-10 min should be enough to charge it for that trip i left my car for 4 months and came home and it started up good and snappy, if you pulled the light, then you obviously have loose wires in there maybe they're touching causeing your short.... unless your talking about the flashlight... did you try the fuse pulling? and pull the power off the alt to see if it stops too. those will be the easiest way. how old is your battery? maybe its crapped out?