Starting/Battery? problems

g852grant · 09-13-2015, 01:18 AM

Yesterday, while waiting in line to make my run on the track, My car would not start. It was about 65 degrees, the engine was warm (only had it off for about 20 minutes) Well I get pushed out of the way and jump start it and then I just let it run the rest of the night (about 45 minutes - an hour), go back to the spot where my group is camped out and talk around for about 15 minutes. Car starts up fine and I make my 2 hour drive home. Morning comes and I go to start it and nope! Won't start. Fast forward to tonight and I decide to troubleshoot. I decided to try to start it for shits and giggles, but to no avail. I set it on the charger until full (10 amps for a little less than two hours). The motor cranks, but will not start on the first try. Try it again, and it struggles, but turns on. I take my volt meter and check the voltage while its running and I'm sitting at 13.8 volts (or so) I let the car run for about 30 minutes and shut it off. I went back and checked the voltage and I was at 12.6 volts, so I think my alternator is fine? Anyways, I go to start it, and it hardly cranks. I try a second time and it cranks a few times, but will not start. Check the voltage at the battery and its at like 10.4 volts.

So that brings me here. halp.

Tl;dr:
its 60-65 degrees here in minnesota
Car will not start unless jumped at
Fully charged battery will fire up the engine on the second try
13.8 volts while the car is running
12.6 right after it was turned off (seemed to be falling?
will not start again (two tries)
10.4 volts after that
Car was turning over fine in 75+ degree weather
What gives?

Some extra notes, the interior lights dimmed considerably when I tapped the gas pedal and also dimmed (but not as much) when I hit the window switch. Turning the steering wheel had no effect on the lights.

Air Drop · 09-13-2015, 07:20 AM

Charge your battery, then take your car for a 30 minute drive (don't just idle it). See if that solves the issue.

If your car doesn't start again, install a new battery.

If that still doesn't work, you likely have a charging issue (alternator) and will have to replace that.

ctuna · 09-13-2015, 09:53 PM

Max life on the original battery is about 6 years
If you got 8 out of it you would be beating the statistics.
If you have a lead acid battery the normal output of the
alternator at the battery is about 14.5.
If you are programmed for and AGM it will be lower.
since you have a 330 you might have a lot of miles and maybe you should
change the plugs to.

09-13-2015, 01:18 AM	#1
g852grant New Member 4 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 330i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Starting/Battery? problems Yesterday, while waiting in line to make my run on the track, My car would not start. It was about 65 degrees, the engine was warm (only had it off for about 20 minutes) Well I get pushed out of the way and jump start it and then I just let it run the rest of the night (about 45 minutes - an hour), go back to the spot where my group is camped out and talk around for about 15 minutes. Car starts up fine and I make my 2 hour drive home. Morning comes and I go to start it and nope! Won't start. Fast forward to tonight and I decide to troubleshoot. I decided to try to start it for shits and giggles, but to no avail. I set it on the charger until full (10 amps for a little less than two hours). The motor cranks, but will not start on the first try. Try it again, and it struggles, but turns on. I take my volt meter and check the voltage while its running and I'm sitting at 13.8 volts (or so) I let the car run for about 30 minutes and shut it off. I went back and checked the voltage and I was at 12.6 volts, so I think my alternator is fine? Anyways, I go to start it, and it hardly cranks. I try a second time and it cranks a few times, but will not start. Check the voltage at the battery and its at like 10.4 volts. So that brings me here. halp. Tl;dr: its 60-65 degrees here in minnesota Car will not start unless jumped at Fully charged battery will fire up the engine on the second try 13.8 volts while the car is running 12.6 right after it was turned off (seemed to be falling? will not start again (two tries) 10.4 volts after that Car was turning over fine in 75+ degree weather What gives? Some extra notes, the interior lights dimmed considerably when I tapped the gas pedal and also dimmed (but not as much) when I hit the window switch. Turning the steering wheel had no effect on the lights. Last edited by g852grant; 09-13-2015 at 01:19 AM.. Reason: Added more info
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09-13-2015, 07:20 AM	#2
Air Drop Private First Class 36 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Charge your battery, then take your car for a 30 minute drive (don't just idle it). See if that solves the issue. If your car doesn't start again, install a new battery. If that still doesn't work, you likely have a charging issue (alternator) and will have to replace that. __________________ -Mike 2008 335i 6MT Coupe Sapphire Black Metallic / Saddle Brown
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09-13-2015, 09:53 PM	#3
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Max life on the original battery is about 6 years Max life on the original battery is about 6 years If you got 8 out of it you would be beating the statistics. If you have a lead acid battery the normal output of the alternator at the battery is about 14.5. If you are programmed for and AGM it will be lower. since you have a 330 you might have a lot of miles and maybe you should change the plugs to. Last edited by ctuna; 09-13-2015 at 10:00 PM..
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