316 - 1977 - petroscf - Greece

shonks · Post by **shonks** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:39 am

beautiful and inspirational!

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:43 am

Thanks mate!
Why inspirational, though?

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sat May 01, 2010 8:19 am

Last evening she wouldn't start...
Battery is new, no more than 4 months, and the largest one I ever fitted-60 (mAh is it the unit??)
Only thing is that I 'd left the car in the parking steady for about one week, not more...Same thing about 2-3 weeks ago (again then I hadn't driven the car for about 6 or 7 days).Then the tecnhician said that something probably had been forgotten open (a light or something else...)I am sure nothing was forgotten and last evening is the proof...
Lately I have done quite a lot of electric-electronic work (E30 angel headlights, new radio-mp3 player, installation of a trunk light, new alarm system, and some reparations needed on the heater system)...I don't know what could be going wrong, I've checked, nothing remains open, I am sure about this...

Any ideas anyone?

Jimi, might, by any chance the angel headlights pull out some energy from the battery even when turned off??

tommi_e21 · Post by **tommi_e21** » Sat May 01, 2010 9:23 am

i would look at the new stereo more than anything. stereos require a trickle from the battery for memory. some may require more.

is your alternator putting out enough power for all your new gubbins?

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sat May 01, 2010 9:26 am

Not sure....
I think it's OK, though...
Probably this week I 'll have everything checked, and see...
What is exactly the alternator doing?(in my language it may have a different name, so I am asking to understand...)

tommi_e21 · Post by **tommi_e21** » Sat May 01, 2010 10:31 am

well alternator should read 13 to 14V and give a set current at that. if its not producing enough power then it may still make the car run but not be charging the battery.

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Sat May 01, 2010 10:35 am

Fit an ammeter - simples.

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sat May 01, 2010 10:37 am

Hiya Mark!
What is this??

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Sat May 01, 2010 10:43 am

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SMITHS-AMMETER-30 ... 500wt_1182

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sat May 01, 2010 10:48 am

well, OK, I saw this, still what would the difference be with this?
Don't I have to solve the problem?

Pho21_girl · Post by **Pho21_girl** » Sat May 01, 2010 6:05 pm

Seriously loving this car x

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Sat May 01, 2010 6:15 pm

petroscf wrote:well, OK, I saw this, still what would the difference be with this?
Don't I have to solve the problem?

Allows you to see if you have an excessive drain on your electrical system.

You could always get a higher output alternator? Meanwhile, check all connections / earths etc are clean. Make sure the battery terminals aren't corroded and that the battery itself is in good order and fully charged.

pistonheader · Post by **pistonheader** » Sat May 01, 2010 6:36 pm

check your hazard switch hasn't popped out

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sun May 02, 2010 8:38 am

Austin25uk, and Mark: Ok, I 'll have to look into all the matters this week...My technician claims that the battery charger works fine...You'll get the news...
Pho21-girl: Thanks, it's been my grandfathers car. I love it too!!
Pistonheader:

Could be... From now on, I 'll start searching all around and buying-storing all the hazzard switches I can find in spare/used parts etc (for early+for late models!!) the early ones I'll be keeping for myself, the late ones I'll store for later, in order to sell in very high prices!!!!And out of that, I' ll get back all the money I've given so far on the E21!!!

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sun May 02, 2010 11:36 am

Well, in case this is a matter of alternator, what are the options for a highe output alternator? From a 320 M10 would be enough? Or should I look for a solution from another car?