Electrical Problems!!

[Heresy]

I have a 97 328i and I replaced the battery in my car about 9 months ago. Lately ive noticed that in the morning when i start my car it takes a couple more 'cranks' to get the engine started than it does after ive run the car for a bit. Everything works in the car and I havent noticed any dimming of any lights, but then again i havent looked at the headlights while they are on and hit the brake to see if it draws harder than it should. so i wouldnt know if its a starter or a battery issue.
like i said, normally the only time i notice the issue starting the car is in the morning, however yesterday i drove to work and let it sit for 9 hours. when i left work the car had the same problem starting.
at first i thought maybe the stereo was drawing power when the car is turned off being that its aftermarket and i didnt have it professionaly installed. but i took that out yesterday and this morning i had the same result.

anything i can check before my battery dies on me? thanks for the help.

 

[Kirby]

If it takes a few more cranks in the morning that is to be expected when cold.

The cranking SPEED is the indicator of you battery condition. If it sounds like the engine is cranking at the same speed, morning or evening, the battery is generally OK.

If it cranks slow in the morning, and fast later in the day, you may have a problem.

 

[Heresy]

the speed of the cranking is the same, its how long it takes to start the car.
i just went out to lunch and it took the same amount of time to start up as it did this morning, but after turning off the engine and starting it up 5 minutes later, it started right up. i was able to park behind another car so i can see the reflection of my headlights, and i tried turning things on in the car to see if it was drawing power and dimming the lights any. i noticed no change.
im just trying to assess the issue before it becomes a major problem, because i dont see it doing anything but slowly degrading.

 

[SKycity_BMW]

maybe you need a tune up?

 

[dblE]

I agree with the bimmer junkie. It sounds like dirty/bad fuel inj. How many miles? It seems like in the morning there isn't any fuel left behind in the cylinder(dry if you will), after you've driven the car there is fuel residue left behind. It won't cost too much, to use fuel inj cleaner and see if that helps. If it does help you might want to get the tune up.

 

[Heresy]

ill definatly try out the fuel inj cleaner, however i just got the fuel injection system cleaned out 6 months ago by my mechanic, i understand that you need to keep up with these things, but its not like i put dirty gas in it (amoco 93 octaine). its at the shop right now, so we'll see how it goes. im interested in finding out whats going on.

 

[andreyiv]

Mine has been the same way for over a year now and I have no clue whats going on. I also use amoco 93 and I have put injector cleaner in a few times already and still having the same problem. This winter I got a new optima battery and the amount of time needed for a start did not change at all. Maybe there is a leak in the gas line somewhere and the gas slowly drains back into the tank so it needs some time to get to the engine?

 

[pcy]

How about the Fuel Pressure Regulator ?

I have a similar (but not quite exact) problem. For my '97 328i, in the mornings, the car stumbles just for a sec and starts right up. Once it is started in the mornings, no other problems are observed.