e46 electrical problems...

[ohthejosh]

i use to have a e46. lol dunno if that helps. ;) jk I would go with was Mike and Pac suggest. test it and be sure. If I am not wrong Mike works at a service center of sorts? I would trust his word.

[slammin.e28]

put a multimeter on the battery with the motor off, see what the voltage isshould be about 12,0 volts, then start and see what it is, should go up to about 14,7 Volts--- yes, this is not 100% accurate, but it will help in a bind.

I also think alt. is bad.

This, this, and this. Simple, simple, simple.

Also, since no maintenance has been done, does it still have the original, BMW battery?

Seeing as the last e46 rolled out in 2006, the original battery would be at least 5 years old...coming down on the end of it's ~60 month lifespan. If it won't hold a charge, you can hook a multi-meter up to it and watch the voltage slowly drop.

GL!

[Morrison]

I have an X5 with an M54 engine - I've seen many reports of issues with the ignition switch. If you search there are diy's on how to remove and clean it internally with CRC contact cleaner spray. There are a total of 6 contact points inside of it - 5 of them need to be in full contact with each other while the engine is running. The sixth contact is for the starter.

[mr ilia]

I had e46. My cad had very similar simptoms as yours....after a short while alternator wend and it took the battery with it as too.

[B2ThaZiZza]

We had the alternator checked and it passed. I got a spare battery thats pretty much brand new and fully charged to use for now. Im convinced now that there is something draining the battery at a fairly fast rate, time to bust out the fluke voltmeter and poke away. From what ive read on other forums is that the car will not go into "sleep mode", the FSR whatever that it is a blown blower motor resistor.

[JeST]

What does the voltage on the battery read? A draining battery wouldn't really cause the issue especially if your alternator is fine. I still believe your issue is a fuel issue.

If you haven't already I would invest in a Peake scan tool. It pays for itself the first time you use it.

[B2ThaZiZza]

Ok I figured out what was draining the battery after a few beers and some swearing and probing with a volt meter and turns out it was the FSU or Final Stage Unit. It looks pretty wierd all spikey like a porcupine. Bought a new one and put it in and the car has been running flawlessly for a few days now.

[mujjuman]

Ok I figured out what was draining the battery after a few beers and some swearing and probing with a volt meter and turns out it was the FSU or Final Stage Unit. It looks pretty wierd all spikey like a porcupine. Bought a new one and put it in and the car has been running flawlessly for a few days now.

Well that's amazing news... Thanks for the follow up. I was betting on bad battery too

[JeST]

Ok I figured out what was draining the battery after a few beers and some swearing and probing with a volt meter and turns out it was the FSU or Final Stage Unit. It looks pretty wierd all spikey like a porcupine. Bought a new one and put it in and the car has been running flawlessly for a few days now.

You climate controls weren't going haywire? Glad to hear you got it taken care of. I miss my e46. Will probably get another e46 m next year.