[Arustik1]

Guys,

Second time in a month my battery dies ... I got a jump, but realized that this can continue happening and I just don't have the patience/time for this.

Scheduled a service for Friday at BMW Gallery for a batter replacement.

Anybody else experiencing this? Could this be because of my tune? Maybe lights? I'm so confused.

-D

[MassBimmer]

Could be the alternator...if that's not charging the battery properly as you're driving, your battery could drain pretty quick

[jopa489]

Could just be age too. If the battery is original, the unit itself is 3+ years old now depending on your production date. The battery was probably made months before the car too. Do you do a lot of short trips? That significantly reduces the life of the battery overall.

[TL]

Dam, first time i heard about battery problems. Good thing you're still under warranty

[kramerica72]

Quick way to test if you have something drawing power off the battery when shut down is to disconnect the negative battery cable and put a 12-volt test light between the (-) battery terminal and the (-) battery cable. Make sure everything is turned off and close the driver’s door. Wait several minutes for everything to shut off. If the test light stays out completely (no low glow) you have no battery drain.
If the test light is on or even a low glow you have a drain on your battery. (Bright bulb is heavy drain, dim bulb is low drain). I am sure the dealer will check this but it would at least tell you if it is an accessory sticking on. If not, it can only be a bad battery or failing alternator.

[Arustik1]

Originally Posted by jopa489

Could just be age too. If the battery is original, the unit itself is 3+ years old now depending on your production date. The battery was probably made months before the car too. Do you do a lot of short trips? That significantly reduces the life of the battery overall.

Dying after 3 years? Damn, that sucks.
Short trips is something I know about. I mean yeah, but minimum 20 minutes.
I live in the burbs, we're pretty far from everything.

Originally Posted by TL

Dam, first time i heard about battery problems. Good thing you're still under warranty

Appt Friday at 2 BMW Gallery ... Lets hope they dont check for mods

[Arustik1]

Thanks guys, I just hope it starts in the morning for my court in NY ...

-D

[Patsfan123]

Sucks. I do short trips to the train and back everyday (~5mi).. I haven't had an issue yet and my battery of my 03 Corolla never died with those short trips for a year...

[cyphr]

Short trips will definitely shorten the battery life span, but you shouldn't have to be replacing it this soon. I hope you figure it out! I've got an extra trickle charger if you decide you need it.

[Arustik1]

Originally Posted by cyphr

Short trips will definitely shorten the battery life span, but you shouldn't have to be replacing it this soon. I hope you figure it out! I've got an extra trickle charger if you decide you need it.

Thanks bro ... im sittin at service right now.
Didn't take out the tune (nervous) ...

-D

[F104]

up to 25 milli amp current draw is normal for clock, remote key etc.When you have more then 40 I would say there is a potential problem, over 100 mAmp for sure.
If you test current draw take the trunk light out first... For sure don't disconnect (negative) pole when the light in the starter button is still on, and wait some 4 minutes after it went out, for systems to shut down.

[blueaudi18]

i went through a couple weeks ago. they replace my battery. car still died twice after new battery. but all of a sudden now its fine. Dealer did nothing else to the new battery.

[blueaudi18]

ur comfort access going wacko too?

[F104]

Originally Posted by blueaudi18

ur comfort access going wacko too?

all comfort access (roll down windows with key etc) will be disabled when car thinks battery is low. This so you can hopefully still start it. From memory this kicks in at around 11.0V
I've been there due to excessive battery drain (resolved) but still on original battery (3years, 50kmls)

[blueaudi18]

Originally Posted by F104

all comfort access (roll down windows with key etc) will be disabled when car thinks battery is low. This so you can hopefully still start it. From memory this kicks in at around 11.0V
I've been there due to excessive battery drain (resolved) but still on original battery (3years, 50kmls)

how did u resolve it?

my battery is not dieing but my CA seems like it goes to sleep. sometime i have to wait for like 20 sec before the car realize that im there trying to get in the damn car.

[F104]

Originally Posted by blueaudi18

how did u resolve it?

my battery is not dieing but my CA seems like it goes to sleep. sometime i have to wait for like 20 sec before the car realize that im there trying to get in the damn car.

Mine was about dead in 3-4 days. Battery voltage was below 12V when not using the car for two days. I had a non BMW device (obd reader) that kept ECU(s) alive for 30 minues every time, drawing 4-5 amp. Open door or trunk, and off for another 30 minutes. Btw I don't have CA.
I did my own trouble shooting with multimeter and did verify i'm now down to the 25-30 mAmp. Don't want to find my car with a flat battery at the airport after a 4 day trip.
And still on the same battery

[kramerica72]

any updates?

[Arustik1]

Yeah ... took it to the dealer with tune in.

They blamed it on the tune and my deleted amber lights ... shoot me in the face.

I gotta drop by BMW Boston and see what they can do

-D

[leemik]

^^Wow that sucks!

they treat me so well whenever I go into BMW Gallery.. I guess I should be wary in the future..

[ibeclueless]

damn that sucks, hopefully HC Boston will do something about it

[TL]

Dam...good thing they didn't charge you for inspecting the car.

how did the NY court appearance go?

[ska///235i]

Arustik1,

so did they fix it for you under warranty or was it a out of pocket expense?

loos like my 4 yr old car will need a new battery soon...