I have a BMW 325i 92 model. I had the oil changed 3 days ago. Yesterday I saw the battery light come on while driving the car on a freeway. Today, battery, ABS and check engine, lights came on. I was on a traffic light and car was moving very slow, wind shield wiper was moving very slow even at the highest setting. The car almost stopped and a sputtering sound was coming from the engine. I managed to pull in to my drive way before it stopped. I tried to start it now, it won's start. Battery seemed dead.
Sounds alternator to me. Battery is about 2 years old. Did the oil changer forgot to do something? Is alternator dead? Could it be the battery? How could the battery die while I am driving?Battery died while driving my car.?EDIT, actually 11.4 is a dead battery, and 12.4 would be around half charged, see the starter needs a certain amount of current and volts to push it and 11.8 might be the minimum.
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_bat
here is a site i pulled up, but a slow charge overnight may be needed, it could just be a bad battery but you need to test the voltage while the car is running to determine if the alt. is bad.
end edit.
i would agree with the alternator or belt, you can drive w/o an alternator on just battery juice alone until it gets too low which may not take too long.
i would say that the slow wipers means the alternator went out or the juice is not making it to the battery.
and easy check is when the battery is fully charged but a multimeter on it, a charged battery w/ the engine off is 12.5 to 13.3, with the motor running it should be around 14.0 v. when tested at the battery terminals.Battery died while driving my car.?Start with the easiest fix. Have the battery load tested at a garage. You can remove the battery and take it to a shop. Batteries sometimes short out, although usually not in two years. It is still possible.
If the battery is bad, there's your fix. If not, then it is either the voltage regulator or the alternator.
Hope this helps.Battery died while driving my car.?When an alternator warning light comes on, that means STOP DRIVING as soon a practicable.
You flattened the battery by not heeding the light.
DON'T try to have the battery load tested unless it is CHARGED.
Note, allowing a battery to flatten can precipitate its failing. They are meant to be maintained at near full charge at all times.
If you got 10 years out of the alternator, that's not bad.
It is NOT connected with having an oil change. It's just old.Battery died while driving my car.?I know its weird, but when the battery light comes on, it means the alternator died, you just drove your battery dead, its fine, well not really but its too late, charge it back up and get a new alternator (or find out why its happening)
Sometimes shops sabotage stuff, other times they accidentally loosen wires.Battery died while driving my car.?First check the Alternator belt, if it is even a little loose the alternator will not turn enough or fast enough to charge properly,
next charge the battery overnight and take the car to Autozone, Advance auto, oriellys or any of the local Chain parts places and they can test the charging system for free and tell you what is wrong,
My guess is it may be the battery if you live in a harsh climate (cold winters) the battery will not last as long so it may have a few dead cells inside, Hopefully that is all that is wrong.
the oil changer should not have touched the charging system, , unless he spilled oil on the belts or the Altenator,Battery died while driving my car.?i would tend to look alternator if the battery is dead the alternator can power the car alone if needed. if the car dies while engine running its most likely a alternator. if you do change the alternator replace the battery and save yourself the future hassle.Battery died while driving my car.?Have battery and alternator tested at local parts store for free, IT sounds like the alternator failed to charge, but a shorting battery can cause alternator to fail also. I would say spend the extra money and do both at same time if possible.Battery died while driving my car.?there is a good video on how to check your alternator on youtube, by richpin06a
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5B54xX_QBattery died while driving my car.?You hit the nail on the head when you said 10 yrs. things where out most likely alternator the signal thing was just low voltageBattery died while driving my car.?Alternator is burned up.Battery died while driving my car.?Bad Alternator or bad connection to the alternator. It definitely isn't the battery, the dashboard lights coming on is an indication that it's a current/charging problem. It is possible that they may have knocked a wire loose while removing the oil filter, this happened to me when I was working on a Buick Park Avenue. Borrow a good battery from a friend to get the car to a better location (this may only get you a few miles, so make every second count), most highway patrol officers will tow your car if it's left there for more than a day (or vandals will find it). If the car starts and runs with a good battery, it's definitely the alternator.Battery died while driving my car.?One of the battery post connections could be slightly loose, this is the best possible scenario for you, and this happens a lot.
The battery could be not holding a charge well. If this is the case, try adding distilled water before you bother buying a new one. Look on the top of the battery, there should be plastic covers that pop off. Be sure not to overfill it, as this will lead to acid leaking out and damaging things under the hood.
If it's not the battery or a connection, you need a new alternator. Often an expereinced mechanic can simply clean the copper contact points inside the alternator rather than needing to replace it entirely. You would need a very kind mechanic to do this for you, as most are just looking to make a profit by replacing parts.Battery died while driving my car.?Ok, it sounds like your battery needs charging or is about to go dead. do you know if you battery is refillable or sealed?Nowadays most batteries are sealed meaning you have to buy a replacement.
You can take the battery down to a Auto parts store like O'Riely's or Autozone and get your battery tested for free. I would check to see if your battery cables are clear of crusties (a sort of acid build up that is normal) and that the cables are on securely. Not that I think getting your oil changed caused your battery problem but if they checked your filter or replaced your filter and depending on where the filter and battery are located the mechanic could have loosened the cables to get the filter.
Alternator problems usually involved a strange click or whining noise. If the alternator won't turn over the car won't start but you have full use of the battery..wipers work normally and radio ect.
