Having problems starting my car.

[E30 Cabrio]

The last few days, my car has been hard to start.

It turns over slowly while I'm cranking the ignition and eventually starts.

I can run the engine for 30 seconds, shut it off and then it will start right back up easily like it should.

The Engine Oil light comes on and stays on for a while when this happens although my Oil level is not low.

On restart, the Engine Oil light doesn't come on.

Also, when the hard start issue occurs, I can turn on the headlights and other electrical stuff so I don't think the battery is low, but I haven't checked it yet because I can't find my MultiMeter, so I may have to go buy a Radio Shack special.

I've checked the trunk light to see if it's sticking, and it's not that.

The connections at the battery are good. Too good in fact as I can't get the battery off to put it on a charger to see if that resolves the issue as the nut for the battery bolt is stripped and there is no room to get it off with channel locks or vice grips.

I'm going to have to bust it off with a chisel eventually.

So, two questions:

1) What should I check with my Multimeter if the voltage at the battery is good? (Or if the voltage at the battery is low?)

2) Is there any safe way to charge the battery without disconnecting it?

I'm also going to check if it is storing any codes as well as checking the Auxiliary Relay.

Thanks.

[E30 Cabrio]

OK, so the Bentley says to remove fuses 10, 12, 21, 23 and 27 when charging the battery in the car to prevent damage to the OBC

I'm also going to check the Oil level sensor once I find or buy another Mulitmeter.

Any other helpful suggestions are welcome.

[Mike325]

You should also check the connections at the starter. While you have someone crank the engine, hold the meter on the connections to see what the voltage is. It might be low and causing your low battery like cranking.