Weak start on new battery and dead the next morning

[bspot]

Our BMW 325xit (E46) wouldn't start the other morning. ODBII readout was showing very low battery voltage. Jumped it and it ran fine, so off to Wal Mart for a new battery.

With a brand new battery it started up, but it was a bit of a weak start, didn't crank very hard.

It survived a 15 minute drive, then 2 hours parked, then 10 minute drive.

The next morning it was dead again.

I jumped it and took it for a good 40 minute highway drive. Stopped the car for about 5 minutes, got back in, weak start again.

When I turn the car off the voltage is showing about 13.0V. When running it's 14.1-14.2V (So alternator seems good?)

After a few minutes the reading is down to 12.7V.

I have no symptoms of a bad FSU/FSR.

Is it possible the battery wasn't fully charged when new and just needs an overnight charge? (I've read it can be 10-12 hours to fully top off a battery, and driving only really replaces what you take out to start it)

Could I have some crazy parasitic drain that popped out of nowhere? For it to drain that fast seems insane to me, but who knows.

[Supa Dexta]

Voltages are fine, connections clean and tight?

Do you have 12.6/7 after sitting over night?

[bspot]

Dohhhhhh.... I went to hook it up to a charger and the positive terminal definitely could have been tighter. I'll let the charge finish and check it in the morning. I'm guessing the loose connection would be reason for a weak start and also not let the battery charge easily. Fingers crossed!

[bspot]

It's the starter

[alixjohn180]

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