3.0 Si electrics

["Dan, Marilyn, Anathea & Phillip Patzer" <bmrfamly@xxxxxxxxxx>]

JC
  It sounds like you're suffering from low voltage, either at the battery,
or at the ignition switch.
  Measure at the center of the battery posts with a DVOM.  A healthy
resting battery will be about 12.5V.  Then measure at the large terminal of
the starter, and a good clean metal location on the motor.  The measured
voltage shoud be exactly the same.  It it's lower, you need to clean or
replace the cables, post & connections.
  If the "delivered voltage is good and the same as battery potential,
measure the voltage during start-up.  If it dips too low during start-up,
the battery is just too weak to do the job.
  To see if there's a problem at the ignition switch, by-pass it.  Go into
the diagnostic connector on the driver's fender.
  Brakes ON, in neutral, key in "RUN", Using the ends of a needle-nose
pliers, bridge pins #1 & #7. This will "crank the engine".
  If this gives much better results than using the key, the electrical
portion of the ignition switch is bad and must be replaced.  This was very
common and can be done without pulling the ignition mechanicals or steering
column.
  DO not use a small paper clip for this test, as there's a lot of current
flow and I still have a paper-clip branded into my index finger and thumb
to prove it.

 Dan Patzer the CyberWrench from BIMMERS ONLY
72' tii touring   K1200LT   85' 732i   R850R
http://www.nwlink.com/~bmrfamly/   425-259-3601
 O.E.M. parts, Independant service since 1967
 12724  Marine Drive,  Marysville, Wa. 98271

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