PDA

View Full Version : 1993 325is...another power/starting problem for any gurus



Hawaii
11-17-2006, 01:56 AM
okay i know that first off that the search function works. i also can do basic problem solving and this isn't the first time i have had starting trouble.

scenrio is as follows. turn the key lights come on but are dimmer than usual. battery is fully charged. all fuses seem to be okay. when i open the doors the window motor makes a ticking sound. the passenger window goes up and down fine. the drivers side has trouble coming back up. after fiddling with the connection i got it to roll back up. when i open the door it did the usual slight roll down. when i shut the door it rolled back up ever so slowly to make the seal.
when i turn the key to start the car everything goes dead. i have never had to deal with any ignition problems. the starter has been replaced about 2 years ago. the battery tested to be charged on the battery charger. it is about 3 years old. i think the alternator has been going bad. it has been making a fast rattling sound.
would a shot alternator effect starting? seems like electrical not giving off to get going for spark.

vmwerks
11-17-2006, 02:13 AM
would a shot alternator effect starting? seems like electrical not giving off to get going for spark.

No the alternator is not involved in the starting process, it is the job of your battery. I would load test the battery and / or check ALL your main battery connections.

Hawaii
11-17-2006, 02:47 AM
the thing that has me the most buged out is the noise from the window motor and its disfunction. its something that never happened when i had to replace my other battery
with the car having high milage now the wiring is in the back of my mind

choffa
11-17-2006, 07:57 AM
+1 on the load test. Battery might show full voltage (13.6) but have no current capacity due to broken or high resistance internal connection.

Check all ground connections, battery to frame, frame to engine; alternator connections, positive wire at starter, feed wires to fuse block (power distribution to rest of car). Might be worth taking unbolting the fuse block from the fender & checking connections on the bottom.