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Battery or Alternator

  • 18-07-2014 8:24pm
    #1
    Phoole
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 379 ✭✭


    CAR: 2003 BMW 525D

    Hi guys,

    Yesterday morning I couldn't start the car. It would almost start (cranking??) but just wouldn't fire up fully. I got a jump with cables from a mate and off it went no problems. Today when driving I started hearing a very low dull noise from the front of car, not very loud, but noticeable (maybe, maybe not related). Today while driving home the car just cut out on me. Got a jump off a neighbour but the car wont start. There's still plenty of life in the battery. Its just not giving me that last 2% fire the car up, if you get me.

    Any ideas?


Comments

  • #2
    johnayo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,718 ✭✭✭johnayo


    Most likely alternator. First check the alternator belt. If ok, then get the charging checked.


  • #3
    Phoole
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 379 ✭✭Phoole


    Thanks.. sounds like a job for my mechanic on Monday morning :(


  • #4
    Phoole
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 379 ✭✭Phoole


    Any ideas how much it might to replace?


  • #5
    johnayo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,718 ✭✭✭johnayo


    Phoole wrote: »
    Any ideas how much it might to replace?

    Not sure what the price would be, but it would need to be checked as it may also just be a connection. The mechanic will be able to diagnose it easily.
    Maybe if you could get your hands on a battery charger and put battery on charge for a day over the weekend, you would be able to start the car to drive to garage on Monday.


  • #6
    Luckysasha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,042 ✭✭✭Luckysasha


    Get a multimeter. With the car off battery will read just over 12 v . Now start the car if the battery voltage doesn't go above 14v then it's the alternator.


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  • #7
    Wheelnut
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 977 ✭✭✭Wheelnut


    The problem is that the car will not start and he says there is still plenty of life in the battery. It could be that the starter is just not spinning fast enough to start the engine, but it could also be other things like low compression, glow plugs, dirty injectors etc. I think the OP would be unwise to start throwing stuff like a battery or alternater at the problem until he has a better diagnosis.


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