<E36> Battery drains

["Robert A. Virzi" <bob.virzi@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Problem:  If the car sits for any extended period of time (2 - 4 
days) without running, the battery is too weak to start the car.  Not 
quite dead, but not enough juice to start, either.

Background:  We have had an ongoing problem in my wife's 318 since we 
got it in '97.  She always runs a radar detector which stays on even 
when the car is off.  She used to also keep her cell phone plugged in 
and charging, but no longer does so.  We are on the third, maybe 
fourth, battery.

The dealer is claiming the detector is killing the battery. 
Especially as the battery is weakened with age (like about a year) it 
is being dragged down by the detector until it is dead.  Claims that 
BMWs are more sensitive to battery level than other cars.  Also has 
checked the car several times and claims there isn't any other drain 
when the detector is disconnected.

So this sounds like pure cr*p to me.  I've run detectors in at least 
a dozen cars and never had a problem like this.  We're talking 
milliamps of current.  Has anyone else experienced a problem like 
this?  Maybe the alternator isn't putting out what it should?  Other 
ideas?  I hate to add a battery a year to the maintenance schedule. 
;-)
		-Bob

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