BMW owner befuddled by battery that keeps draining

by: PAUL BRAND
Updated: January 18, 2013 - 3:58 PM

Q I have a 1997 BMW Z3 roadster purchased used in 2001. Since Day One, the battery will go flat if I leave the car sitting for more than a few days. Two different BMW shops have been unable to diagnose the problem. The battery that came with car and a new one needed to be replaced because of so many deep discharge cycles. I installed a battery cut-off switch to save the third battery and make sure the car will start when I want it to. Of course, I need to reset the clock and the audio system settings each time. My brother, an automotive mechanic, says the first thing he would check is the alternator because the diode sometimes goes bad and allows a small reverse current flow. Have you ever encountered this?

0
Comments

There are currently no comments for this article

Comment on this story | Be the first to comment

Be the first to comment

from the homepage

Full Scoreboard

Seattle - F. Hernandez	12:05 PM
Cleveland - J. Masterson

Toronto - R. Dickey	12:05 PM
NY Yankees - C. Sabathia

Arizona - W. Miley	12:10 PM
Miami - R. Nolasco

Cincinnati - H. Bailey	12:35 PM
Philadelphia - J. Pettibone

Houston - L. Harrell	12:35 PM
Pittsburgh - J. Locke

Los Angeles - M. Magill	12:35 PM
Atlanta - M. Minor

Tampa Bay - M. Moore	12:35 PM
Baltimore - C. Tillman

Boston - J. Lackey	1:10 PM
Minnesota - P. Hernandez

Milwaukee - K. Lohse	1:15 PM
St. Louis - J. Gast

NY Mets - D. Gee	1:20 PM
Chicago Cubs - T. Wood

Chicago WSox - J. Peavy	2:35 PM
LA Angels - J. Vargas

Kansas City - L. Mendoza	3:05 PM
Oakland - A. Griffin

Washington - D. Haren	3:10 PM
San Diego - A. Cashner

San Francisco - B. Zito	3:10 PM
Colorado - J. Nicasio

Detroit - D. Fister	7:05 PM
Texas - D. Holland

Full Scoreboard

Memphis	2:30 PM
San Antonio

Full Scoreboard

NY Rangers	2:00 PM
Boston

Pittsburgh	6:30 PM
Ottawa

Los Angeles	12:00 PM
Red Bull New York

Sporting Kansas City	4:00 PM
D.C.

Real Salt Lake	9:30 PM
Chivas USA

Brand: Chevy Suburban emits smoke on startup

Featured Dealers

BMW of Minnetonka

Great Used Car Selection

www.bmwofminnetonka.com

WAYZATA NISSAN

BEST PRICES ON NISSAN VEHICLES IN MINNESOTA

Log In

Change Password

autos

BMW owner befuddled by battery that keeps draining

Comments

Thanks for contributing!

Comment on this story | Be the first to comment

Post your comment:

Your comments:

from the homepage

Featured Dealers

BMW of Minnetonka

WAYZATA NISSAN

Email or username:
Password:

Forgot your password? \| Not a member? Create a login

Current:
New Password:
Confirm New Password: