[k20a216]

Does the GP Thunder H8 halo bulbs drain battery when the car is fully off (doors locked)?

Here's the story:
My 3.5 year-old 335i's battery is dead. I jumped the car and brought it to the dealership. They performed an energy diagnostic test and found unfavorable customer profile for leaving lights on (DIAG CODE D6121 00ENDIAG 73 501).

I told the SA that I always leave the headlamp switch on Auto and never leave the car unlocked for an extended period of time. (All of which is true.) Then he goes to make a few calls to the service tech and talks with them in person. He finally came back to me and said it was probably caused by my aftermarket Halo bulbs (8500K GP Thunder H8 12V 35W). And I quote him, "These bulbs are definitely aftermarket and the resistance might be different. The computer is probably staying on when the car is off to check that."
Therefore, he claims that the battery can not be replaced under warranty and wants to charge me $400+ for a new one.

I'm so disappointed at how they are handling the situation that I'm thinking about sell my car after fixing this issue.

[saeng]

All I can say!!! Diy


Walmart battery $80

And go to the diy forum

[v-tec this]

put in the stock lights and go to a different dealer

[k20a216]

right, that's my plan right now

[k20a216]

update:
Brought the car to SF BMW and battery was changed no question asked. The SA/techs kept the car over night to check for extraordinary current draw and didn't find anything. Exactly what I, an electrical engineer, would have done.

With that said, beware of John DePalma (SA) from Peter Pan BMW for warranty services.

[PlannBee]

previous rsx owner? lol

and my brother just bought the same one so im worried if this is whats going to happen to him too.

[kiwi29]

To completelyy shut the car down, hold the start/stop button for 3 seconds instead of simply pressing it. Doing this will shut off the radio (if playing) and all of your lights and engine and everything of that nature, maybe you should get lights with a capacitor plugged to it so it won't keep cycling the engery as if it was on

[Ron1n]

Or...just press the button twice, once to shut off the engine, another to shut off the car. You don't need to hold the button.

[MiKc]

Does the GP Thunder really cause battery drain?
I installed mine in summer and my battery recently died as well (just reached 3 years)
damn im worried now :O

[E92-Lighting]

SA's will say anything to void your warranty, GP Thunders never drain your battery

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by E92-Lighting

SA's will say anything to void your warranty, GP Thunders never drain your battery

+1 - no way H8 bulbs (no matter what temperature) are going to drain your battery any more than the stock bulbs. Besides, from what I know, batteries are not usually covered under warranty after a certain period of time. Normally they'll last around 4 years at most - mine lasted just shy of 5 years, but I've only got 34K miles on my car.