Battery Loses Charge

[walterfinn]

I just bought a 2001 Z3 2.5i, and the battery dies after a couple days. I noticed that when I put the car cover over it, it sounds like a relay/contactor cycles every few minutes, possibly associated with a proximity sensor. I have done some searches for things to do before covering the car, but have yet to find anything that would indicate something that would cause this.


I have not done the basics on identifying battery age, alternator output voltage, etc., because I suspect there is something associated with putting the car cover over the vehicle.


Any ideas?

[Mr Bingley]

You should do the basics before thinking up exotic possibilities--it's so easy to do. Unless there is an aftermarket alarm installed, there is no proximity sensor. It the sound a clicking or buzzing? is it constant or does it go off and come back on?

[walterfinn]

Clicking, like a large relay/contactor. I've heard a similar sound when locking the trunk and doors, and some times when I start to depress the trunk button. It only seems to happen when I have the cover on, that is why I made the assumptions previously mentioned. I'm sure it is good advice to check the basics, I need to do that anyway to establish some baselines

[Vintage42]

Clicking, like a large relay/contactor... similar sound when locking the trunk and doors, and some times when I start to depress the trunk button. It only seems to happen when I have the cover on...

Where are you, and are you doing anything with the covered car, when it is clicking? It sounds like the car is locking. Is it doing this by itself without being touched?