Im not sure if you can offer me any advice with this one. I have been given a 440i about a year ago, its hardly been driven and in an ok condiditon, but the first time i drove up to central london, she broke down in the middle of the road. I managed to get someone to look in her hood, nad it turned out that one of the wires from the alternator to the battery had come loose and she wasnt getting any charge.
About a week ago she did the same thing. All the lights went off, the radio went off and the fuel level went to nothing and she tried to cut out. I managed to get her to the drive before she finally gave up, and when we had a look, we cant see any wiresl loose and she started perfectly the first time with a jump so its not the starter or the switch thats broken, but it seems that the battery isnt holding any charge. There is a random cable with 4 pins hanging loose in the front of the bonnet with no plug close enough to fix it too but this didnt seem to stop the jump start from working so im not sure if this has anything to do with the problem. When i turn the key there is a click and she turns over once and then gives up and does nothing.
I would really prefer it not to be the alternator because i know from experience of a previous car that they are very expensive to replace... is there any chance that its just my battery that needs replacieng or is there a test i can do to check the voltage coming throught the alternator? My Haynes manuel is no help at all.
Thanks, Amy