Electrical - United Bimmer Community

**ebadeau** · 07-03-2007, 02:13 AM

I am trying to start my car, but all the lights become dim, and then fail to keep lit.

May this be a battery issue, or is there probably a ground wire not secure?

- Ed

**morroman** · 07-03-2007, 03:56 AM

sounds like your battery has very little voltage left, to check if the battery is low just hook up a voltmeter and see if is currently holding 12volts.

**ebadeau** · 07-03-2007, 05:15 AM

Well currently I am charging my battery anyways, hopefully that holds its 12 volts.

I put a voltmeter on one of the light-sockets (interior) and it went from 11.8v --> 8.5v just by turning the engine to RUN, and with just the basic intrumental lights, barely staying lit if not fail.

I'll see what I can do.

- Ed

**c1apton** · 07-03-2007, 06:03 AM

you need a minimum of 11.5 to run just the basics (to get started) - once you get it running, voltage should be between 14.2 - 15.8

**elsabor67** · 07-03-2007, 07:45 AM

You probably have a short somewhere that is not letting your battery charge right. Work on checking all your wires from the front to the back to see where you are grounding out.

**94bmw325i** · 07-03-2007, 09:37 AM

maybe your alternator is on its way out? See if the ground on the front passenger side swaybar bracket I think it is, is loose because that is the alternator ground.

**stevo** · 07-03-2007, 11:19 AM

but i would start by checking the battery 1st ,how old is the battery?
Is it a quality heavy duty battery?
charging the battery wil only help short term if the battery is shot, might be worth taking the car to a garage and have the battery tested properly and at the same time have them run a test on your alternator.

**ebadeau** · 07-04-2007, 05:37 PM

+1 Battery is full charged now, all the basics work.

Car still doesn't start, someone mention something about a

Camshaft Sensor. Is that possible?

If so, does anyone got a DIY thing for it? Do I have to remove the intake manifold again? *Sigh*

- Ed

**morroman** · 07-05-2007, 03:10 AM

Stupid as it seems but make sure the car is in neutral or park, secondly can you give us an idea of what it sounds like, does the engine try to turn over, does it do nothing at all?

**jdgoff** · 07-16-2007, 11:59 PM

Sounds as if you have an electrical power draw down that is unusually high, when you use starter motor. This may be caused by starter motor that is the problem. As they age, starters can "drag", by which I mean it has something rubbing, or failed bearing or whatever. I doubt you have a "short". The symptoms would be more drastic, and could--or should--blow fuse or fuse link. If you have access to amp meter, check on power draw to starter when attempting to start. Battery voltage is not a very good indicator of power drawdown, except that a voltage drop will be measured during starter use. Since all other electrical systems eg, lights, etc. I would concentrate on starter motor. If you feel comfortable enough to remove starter motor, many parts stores will test it for you for free. Remember, if you remove all electrical source, radio will need to have code entered to re-set.

I hope this has been helpful. I'm a retired auto tech, but it is hard to diagnose at such a distance

Good Luck james in Colorado