Battery issues
Battery issues
Yet another problem rears its head.
I woke at 3am for my trip to the toilet - you will understand when you get to my age and on the way back to bed, i decided to look out of the window at my B3. I noted that the red led under the rear view mirror was not blinking.
I went out early this morning to find the battery is completely dead. Even the remote locking will not work and no lights etc on the dash.
So my two questions for you clever people are:
1. How do i know that it is the battery at fault and not a parasitic drain? and.....
2. If i do need a new battery - what specification of battery do i need?
Any help much appreciated.
I woke at 3am for my trip to the toilet - you will understand when you get to my age and on the way back to bed, i decided to look out of the window at my B3. I noted that the red led under the rear view mirror was not blinking.
I went out early this morning to find the battery is completely dead. Even the remote locking will not work and no lights etc on the dash.
So my two questions for you clever people are:
1. How do i know that it is the battery at fault and not a parasitic drain? and.....
2. If i do need a new battery - what specification of battery do i need?
Any help much appreciated.
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
Re: Battery issues
Can't help with the spec of a B3 battery Rav but Tim on Meeknet has a pretty good process here to check for parasitic drain: https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/E38_Battery_Drain.htm
2001 Alpina B10 V8 #185
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
Re: Battery issues
I used these people for my new battery. Good service and a good choice. I chose a Bosch with a little more poke than the original. https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/
B3 E46 no.265
Re: Battery issues
Very useful link, thanks BarryBarryM wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 2:42 pmCan't help with the spec of a B3 battery Rav but Tim on Meeknet has a pretty good process here to check for parasitic drain: https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/E38_Battery_Drain.htm
B3 3.2 TOURING #062
Re: Battery issues
I have bought 3 batteries from them in the last 18 months, one of the few places I could get a square pin for the escort. I would also recommend them.jolls wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 4:17 pmI used these people for my new battery. Good service and a good choice. I chose a Bosch with a little more poke than the original. https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/
Adam
Alpina XD3 #193
Alpina C2 2.7 #0525
E36 M3 Saloon
E30 track car M52
Previous
BMW - E30 325sport x2, 318is, 325 touring, E36 Coupe 318is, M3, E46 M3, E92 M3, E82 123d, F30 335d, F22 M240
Ford - Capri 2.0x2, 2.8x3, 3000gxl, RS3100, RS Cosworth Sierra 3dr, Cosworth Sapphire & Escort 4wd, RS2000, RS Focus Mk1 x2 & Mk2, Mondeo V6
Opel Kadette 1.2 S RWD (first car)
Alpina XD3 #193
Alpina C2 2.7 #0525
E36 M3 Saloon
E30 track car M52
Previous
BMW - E30 325sport x2, 318is, 325 touring, E36 Coupe 318is, M3, E46 M3, E92 M3, E82 123d, F30 335d, F22 M240
Ford - Capri 2.0x2, 2.8x3, 3000gxl, RS3100, RS Cosworth Sierra 3dr, Cosworth Sapphire & Escort 4wd, RS2000, RS Focus Mk1 x2 & Mk2, Mondeo V6
Opel Kadette 1.2 S RWD (first car)
Re: Battery issues
Like others, I can't help with the possible parasitic drain but a quick search on E46 forums points mostly at the Final Stage Resistor (FSR) which can cause battery drain as it starts to fail, as well as unusual behaviour of the heater fan. This is a common problem on the E46 but be warned as you need to be a contortionist to access and replace it from the driver's side front footwell.
In terms of battery spec, this is from my current battery (which is the same as the previous two and the original one before that):
12V
80Ah
640A
The first replacement was a Bosch Silver (which was a few quid cheaper than the BMW one) but I went back to BMW ones because I knew it was right for the car, the 10% parts discount almost wiped out the difference and the extra costs spread out over 5-6 years was minimal.
BMW part no: 61 21 6 818 784
Hope this helps
In terms of battery spec, this is from my current battery (which is the same as the previous two and the original one before that):
12V
80Ah
640A
The first replacement was a Bosch Silver (which was a few quid cheaper than the BMW one) but I went back to BMW ones because I knew it was right for the car, the 10% parts discount almost wiped out the difference and the extra costs spread out over 5-6 years was minimal.
BMW part no: 61 21 6 818 784
Hope this helps
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Re: Battery issues
Hi Rav
I fitted a 096 3000 Series Car Battery, Typical Details:
Voltage (V) 12
Technology Standard Battery
Capacity [Ah] 75
Width [mm] 175
Height [mm] 190
Length [mm] 278
Hold-down Type B3
UK Ref No 096
Unable to advise on Battery Drain, sorry
Cheers
Dave
I fitted a 096 3000 Series Car Battery, Typical Details:
Voltage (V) 12
Technology Standard Battery
Capacity [Ah] 75
Width [mm] 175
Height [mm] 190
Length [mm] 278
Hold-down Type B3
UK Ref No 096
Unable to advise on Battery Drain, sorry
Cheers
Dave
Re: Battery issues
Thanks all. The investigation will begin in earnest tomorrow.
I have swapped out the old battery - Bosch Silver 5 which looks pretty new with an older varta battery i saved from my wifes Audi A6 TDI.
I will see how that holds up and will follow the parasetic drain instructions you have kindly shared.
I have swapped out the old battery - Bosch Silver 5 which looks pretty new with an older varta battery i saved from my wifes Audi A6 TDI.
I will see how that holds up and will follow the parasetic drain instructions you have kindly shared.
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
Re: Battery issues
Not sure if all the Alpina owners care about weight reductions, but I've been running a lithium battery in my E46 M3 last 3 years. Went down from a 18kg lead-acid to a 3kg battery. Never looked back... https://www.deadweightindustries.co.uk
F31 D3 Biturbo No.013
BMW E46 M3 6MT
BMW E46 M3 6MT
Re: Battery issues
Just seen the price thoughXiaorpowr wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 12:57 amNot sure if all the Alpina owners care about weight reductions, but I've been running a lithium battery in my E46 M3 last 3 years. Went down from a 18kg lead-acid to a 3kg battery. Never looked back... https://www.deadweightindustries.co.uk
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Re: Battery issues
Yeah I know it's a bit of a shock, but on track cars, weight loss is expensive full stop. Compared to carbon panels, forged wheels, bucket seat, it's actually quite cheap per kg lost... That's my man maths
PS. I dream of a E46 B3 Touring!! I assume you have one based on your profile pic? Does it suffer same subframe / boot floor issue?
F31 D3 Biturbo No.013
BMW E46 M3 6MT
BMW E46 M3 6MT
Re: Battery issues
There is asp B3 E46 tourer currently for sale thread
And another we await the op to add further details
And another we await the op to add further details
Re: Battery issues
Second this issue. Had this issue on my 330ci which Toby tracked down and swapped out the FSR. Part is about £60 and sort of a DIY job but as Charles mentions it’s tricky to get to. Best thing to do if undertaking yourself is take out the drivers seat to get access. Undo 4 bolts and wiring harness and job done, to get access!Charles wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:56 pmLike others, I can't help with the possible parasitic drain but a quick search on E46 forums points mostly at the Final Stage Resistor (FSR) which can cause battery drain as it starts to fail, as well as unusual behaviour of the heater fan. This is a common problem on the E46 but be warned as you need to be a contortionist to access and replace it from the driver's side front footwell.
F32 D4, Alpina Blue, Lavalina Congac, #51, daily, shows
E46 B3, Carbon Black, Nappa Grey, ##270, weekends, shows
E46 330ci Convertible Silver, when the sun is out
E61 550i, V8 4.8 dog wagon and shopping runs, odd show
F31 320d XDrive Touring, sold, used to be the dog wagon
E46 B3, Carbon Black, Nappa Grey, ##270, weekends, shows
E46 330ci Convertible Silver, when the sun is out
E61 550i, V8 4.8 dog wagon and shopping runs, odd show
F31 320d XDrive Touring, sold, used to be the dog wagon
Re: Battery issues
Yup, I have a 2003 B3S Touring which I've owned from new and am about to clock up 350k miles.
No subframe issues here (all checked recently) but it's a 2003 car and those issues tend to be on earlier cars, I believe
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Re: Battery issues
Wow talk about a high milage hero. Glad to see it's getting used properly! Those S52 engines seem to be a bit less sensitive than S54 engines as well!
F31 D3 Biturbo No.013
BMW E46 M3 6MT
BMW E46 M3 6MT