Battery Question

paul2241 · 11-09-2010, 05:43 PM

Hello all,
I have a quick question about starting my car for the first time of the day when it is cold outside. It seems to crank a tad bit slower when its below 40 degress F, for the first time of the day. It takes about the same amount of time to start but has a bit of a lower pitch tone to it's cranking noise if that makes any sense. I tested the battery, after it has been off overnight, and it was 12.6 when the car was off, dropped off a little bit as it was being started, then immediately recharged to 14.8 volts once the car was running. Do I have a bad battery or starter, or should I expect a bit of a harder start/different noise when it's cold outside?

onebluemcm · 11-09-2010, 06:39 PM

I'm assuming yours is non-M, since it's not in your info.

In any case, FWIW, in both of the S54-powered cars that I've had, I did not notice any difference in cranking speed or power depending on cool air temps. My guess is there is a bad cell in your battery.

This is a pretty simple thing to test, it's something that just about any half competent shop can do for you, right in front of your face while you watch. I'd have it tested.

paul2241 · 11-09-2010, 06:43 PM

It is a 2006 3.0i. Sorry about that.

pokeybritches · 11-10-2010, 12:40 AM

Your battery should have a year or two left. If it sounds like it's struggling, get it tested. A bad battery will kill your starer too (a $1000 job unless you do it yourself with Autozone parts).

11-09-2010, 05:43 PM	#1
paul2241 Private 18 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 328d Sport Wagon Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Battery Question Hello all, I have a quick question about starting my car for the first time of the day when it is cold outside. It seems to crank a tad bit slower when its below 40 degress F, for the first time of the day. It takes about the same amount of time to start but has a bit of a lower pitch tone to it's cranking noise if that makes any sense. I tested the battery, after it has been off overnight, and it was 12.6 when the car was off, dropped off a little bit as it was being started, then immediately recharged to 14.8 volts once the car was running. Do I have a bad battery or starter, or should I expect a bit of a harder start/different noise when it's cold outside?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-09-2010, 06:39 PM	#2
onebluemcm Captain 42 Rep 632 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	I'm assuming yours is non-M, since it's not in your info. In any case, FWIW, in both of the S54-powered cars that I've had, I did not notice any difference in cranking speed or power depending on cool air temps. My guess is there is a bad cell in your battery. This is a pretty simple thing to test, it's something that just about any half competent shop can do for you, right in front of your face while you watch. I'd have it tested. __________________ \|=.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-._.-.=\| Silbergrau A08 / Sepang Brown LSD6 / Carbon Leather 4MY (1 of 3, this combo) RAC RG63 \| Conti EC-DW \| GC/Koni-Dinan \| Rogue RSM \| Arqray \| Autosolutions \| BMW brace \| Pinnacle tint
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-09-2010, 06:43 PM	#3
paul2241 Private 18 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 328d Sport Wagon Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	It is a 2006 3.0i. Sorry about that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-10-2010, 12:40 AM	#4
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Your battery should have a year or two left. If it sounds like it's struggling, get it tested. A bad battery will kill your starer too (a $1000 job unless you do it yourself with Autozone parts).
	Appreciate 0 Quote