No crank and flashing headlights

EASYFAME3

MEMBER
2002 BMW 525I
2.5L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
218,000 MILES

This car had the alternator and battery replaced recently (like 2 days ago) because the battery light was on and it kept draining, after replacing the battery and alternator car drove fine again! After parking it for the night it will not start, and the battery is completely drained! I tried jump starting the car, but it clicks really loud and the headlights flash. Should I try slow charging the battery? Is this a parasitic drain issue? Any ideas as to why this would happen so fast? I don’t think the car even sat for 12 hours.

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

It does sounds like excessive parasitic draw.
Excessive parasitic draw can be trigger by any number of electrical components.
Could be simple as a light staying on or faulty power window switch.

If you are able to charger the battery or jump start the car and it runs normal, then it is likely a draw issue.
This vehicle should have less than 50 milliamps of parasitic draw.

Take a look at this video, it shows how to find the parasitic draw:

https://youtu.be/z5F7WpgjaRs

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

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