Increased Battery Discharge

DDub77 · 07-11-2013, 04:05 PM

2008 e92 335i. Auto-leveling feature of passenger headlight stopped working so I took it in to the dealership to look at (I'm still under CPO warranty). Dealer says it's the Stepper Motor Control Module and it's not covered under CPO warranty. I can't give them $650 to do the repair right now, so I picked it up from the dealership and took it home.

The next day, my Comfort Access wasn't working when I tried to open the driver door. I used the fob to unlock and when I started the car I got the Increased Battery Discharge warning and I had to set the date/time. I made sure I didn't leave any cabin lights on or anything like that. I took my car on a 40 mile drive and when I stopped to get fuel, the warnings went away. The next morning, the same thing happened - no Comfort Access, Increased Battery Discharge warning, and I had to reset date/time. I also noticed that the car had a hard time starting.

Battery window is black. If it's just that I need a new battery, I can switch it out myself and register it. My question is, what are the chances that the technician who worked on the car at the dealership did something to cause increased battery discharge? If that is a possibility, I would consider taking it back there and having them troubleshoot. If I simply need a new battery, I don't need to pay them $250 to install and register. Thoughts??

GoRomeo · 07-11-2013, 04:33 PM

It could be that they drained your battery after working on your car. They probably left keyfob with switch on listening to the radio..who knows. Regardless, you probably need a new battery anyways. Shop around for a new battery and registration at Indy shop. Good luck!

mr_milo · 07-11-2013, 08:15 PM

Is this the original battery on the 2008? If so, it's time for a new battery. If not, it sounds like it might be time anyways. It could also be that the bad module is somehow draining the battery but that's a bit unlikely.

Just for reference, I have a 2011 with ~25K miles which is 2.5 years old. I just got a new battery since mine was died. Same symptoms and warnings.

Personally that's WAY TO EARLY for a new battery in my mind but BMW blames my driving habits and my ~20 mile round trip commute to work.

DDub77 · 07-12-2013, 02:29 AM

Thanks for the input. It is the original battery, so I figured it was time. Going to the indy shop tomorrow...

07-11-2013, 04:05 PM	#1
DDub77 Private 1 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	Increased Battery Discharge 2008 e92 335i. Auto-leveling feature of passenger headlight stopped working so I took it in to the dealership to look at (I'm still under CPO warranty). Dealer says it's the Stepper Motor Control Module and it's not covered under CPO warranty. I can't give them $650 to do the repair right now, so I picked it up from the dealership and took it home. The next day, my Comfort Access wasn't working when I tried to open the driver door. I used the fob to unlock and when I started the car I got the Increased Battery Discharge warning and I had to set the date/time. I made sure I didn't leave any cabin lights on or anything like that. I took my car on a 40 mile drive and when I stopped to get fuel, the warnings went away. The next morning, the same thing happened - no Comfort Access, Increased Battery Discharge warning, and I had to reset date/time. I also noticed that the car had a hard time starting. Battery window is black. If it's just that I need a new battery, I can switch it out myself and register it. My question is, what are the chances that the technician who worked on the car at the dealership did something to cause increased battery discharge? If that is a possibility, I would consider taking it back there and having them troubleshoot. If I simply need a new battery, I don't need to pay them $250 to install and register. Thoughts?? __________________ 08 E92 335i N54 6AT \| Space Gray Metallic \| Jade Gray Dakota Leather \| Brushed Aluminum Trim \| Premium \| Sport \| Convenience \| iDrive Matte Gunmetal 18" TSW Nurburgring Wheels \| Michelin PSS \| Smoked LED Side Markers \| Smoked Reflectors \| Matte Black Kidney Grilles
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07-11-2013, 04:33 PM	#2
GoRomeo Brigadier General 1256 Rep 4,168 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	It could be that they drained your battery after working on your car. They probably left keyfob with switch on listening to the radio..who knows. Regardless, you probably need a new battery anyways. Shop around for a new battery and registration at Indy shop. Good luck!
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07-11-2013, 08:15 PM	#3
mr_milo Captain 14 Rep 668 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 328i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1)	Is this the original battery on the 2008? If so, it's time for a new battery. If not, it sounds like it might be time anyways. It could also be that the bad module is somehow draining the battery but that's a bit unlikely. Just for reference, I have a 2011 with ~25K miles which is 2.5 years old. I just got a new battery since mine was died. Same symptoms and warnings. Personally that's WAY TO EARLY for a new battery in my mind but BMW blames my driving habits and my ~20 mile round trip commute to work.
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07-12-2013, 02:29 AM	#4
DDub77 Private 1 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the input. It is the original battery, so I figured it was time. Going to the indy shop tomorrow... __________________ 08 E92 335i N54 6AT \| Space Gray Metallic \| Jade Gray Dakota Leather \| Brushed Aluminum Trim \| Premium \| Sport \| Convenience \| iDrive Matte Gunmetal 18" TSW Nurburgring Wheels \| Michelin PSS \| Smoked LED Side Markers \| Smoked Reflectors \| Matte Black Kidney Grilles
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