The clock in my 2003 E46 resets each time I start the car

dafence · 05-26-2018, 07:43 AM

own a 325i 2003 bmw coupe 4dr, My Alternator died and had it replaced was charged 694.00, The serviceman also sold me a new battery for another 233.00
Started the car and right away I had 2 burnt out front headlights which they charged 20.00 dollars each and another 115.00 plus tax in labour.
Also my clock was flashing ---*--- so I reset it. When I turned the car off and restarted the engine. The clock went back to ---*---. It keeps resetting itself everytime. I went in the trunk and behold the battery cover was just thrown on top of the battery. I noticed a wire hanging down on the positive side over the battery but was not connected . just hanging loose. Q1) what is this wire Q2) why is the clock resetting.. All told I am out over 1000 dollars not including 150 for towing.

StuP · 05-26-2018, 08:43 AM

Pics might well help people assist.

overcoil · 05-26-2018, 08:54 AM

If the alternator were failing it could have overwhelmed the battery and headlights if the headlights were on. But the poster makes it seem like a sloppy repair job so if ignition was on and headlights in AUTOMATIC mode when alternator or battery were being replaced then that.

Take a pic of loose wire. Was BMW using battery vent and hose in his 3-series ? Or were there any aftermarket alarms or stereos on the car?

05-26-2018, 07:43 AM	#1
dafence Registered 2 Rep 1 Posts Drives: bmw 2003 325i Join Date: May 2018 Location: ottawa, canada iTrader: (0)	The clock in my 2003 E46 resets each time I start the car own a 325i 2003 bmw coupe 4dr, My Alternator died and had it replaced was charged 694.00, The serviceman also sold me a new battery for another 233.00 Started the car and right away I had 2 burnt out front headlights which they charged 20.00 dollars each and another 115.00 plus tax in labour. Also my clock was flashing ------ so I reset it. When I turned the car off and restarted the engine. The clock went back to ------. It keeps resetting itself everytime. I went in the trunk and behold the battery cover was just thrown on top of the battery. I noticed a wire hanging down on the positive side over the battery but was not connected . just hanging loose. Q1) what is this wire Q2) why is the clock resetting.. All told I am out over 1000 dollars not including 150 for towing.
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05-26-2018, 08:43 AM	#2
StuP Private First Class 96 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2018 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Pics might well help people assist.
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05-26-2018, 08:54 AM	#3
overcoil Major General 3135 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	If the alternator were failing it could have overwhelmed the battery and headlights if the headlights were on. But the poster makes it seem like a sloppy repair job so if ignition was on and headlights in AUTOMATIC mode when alternator or battery were being replaced then that. Take a pic of loose wire. Was BMW using battery vent and hose in his 3-series ? Or were there any aftermarket alarms or stereos on the car?
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