Electrical startup problem

[UGU]

I had a similar problem in startup with the following thread:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...706#post124706

I was starting the car by bringing the key to ignition position II first and then to position 3, suddenly all the lights in the dashboard went off and blurred. I turned the key to zero position and tried to start the car again, but it wouldn't start(no sound, totally dead) although all the lights in the dashboard and the odometer, etc. would turn on normally like they used to when I bring the key to position II. I also noticed that the clock was zeroed after the malfunction first occured. After my second trial to startup, I put the ignition key to position II and tried to turn on the CD changer, the CD inside seems to continue from where it was, but without any sound. I also checked the radio, the radio shows the channel on display, but no sound from the speakers.

I tried to startup the car several times. It didn't start(no sound), but the dashboard lights blurred(the brightness goes off) and the front and rear lights didn't work when the key was in position II. After taking the key out from the ignition or putting it to position 0, front and rear lights turned on, but when I got outside and checked them, they were kind of blinking. I also noticed that central locking is not working properly and power windows seem to operate slower after this thing happened. Checked the fuses, they all seem to be fine. The battery seem to have a little oxidation on one of the poles, it is a Autolite battery, manufacturing date is 2004. Though I don't know when the previous owner replaced it.

Does anyone have any idea about what could have caused this problem? It seems like there's something wrong with the battery? By the way, I have a 1995 318ti manual 5-speed.

[zboot]

Check your battery connections. I just had an experience where one second everything electrical was working, and then my car shifted a little and suddenly it stopped. I had to tighten the nut on my positive terminal.

[UGU]

I have finally solved the problem. It turns out that the battery was finished. Here are the steps I followed:

1. I checked the battery cell compartments. The first and the third compartment had oxidation on the plates although the electrolyte levels were okay.

2. I tried to charge the old battery with a charger with 10amp for 12 hours and it read 10.3V when checked it afterwards, so I bought a new battery.

3. After installing the new battery, I checked the voltage of it when the car was running. Just to make sure that the alternator was okay. It read 13.7V, which I think shows that the alternator is also working.

4. For archival information: The old battery was an Autolite battery (84months, CCA 690). The local store didn't change/prorate it under warranty saying that the previous owner has bought it. Anyway, according to the records I have the old battery lasted approximately 3-years in my case.