Aftermarket car stereo help

Homer Jay · 05-10-2014, 12:01 PM

Can you experts tell me if my dealer is right related to my stereo...

Many months ago (at least 5) I installed a Musicar NW stage 2 system w/subwoofer in my 2011 335is. I had a car audio professional that knows Musicar NW install it. Everything seemed to be fine with the car afterwards, no lights etc...

A couple of days ago I got a Service Engine Soon light, so I made an appointment to have it looked at. The SES light actually turned off on the trip to the dealer but I already had the appointment.

They called me and said the SES light was due to the stereo pulling too many amps and there is an over voltage fault code or something that created the SES light. Also the battery is toast due to this they claim. They didn't charge for diagnostics but won't replace the battery til I remove the stereo.

Is this legit? Could the stereo really have caused the SES light? I don't want to remove it if that's not the problem.

Thanks!!

ctuna · 05-10-2014, 12:20 PM

If the dealer is just quoting company policy
and won't work with you go elsewhere.
I have been running a level 2 without sub and have
had no problems so have a lot of people . Do you know how many watts the total system draws? What is the actual SES code? You should check the actual draw on the system.
Running and not running.
Are you driving the car enough to keep it charged because
there is an ongoing problem with low use and keeping the
battery charged in these cars even without add ons.
And if you are listening without the the motor running it could draining the battery pretty quick.

Homer Jay · 05-10-2014, 01:57 PM

The dealer didn't give me the actual fault code. I will try to get in touch with them to get it.

The car is my daily driver so I would think it should be getting charged fine. I occasionally listen for a short period of time with the car off but not with any regularity.

I will try to test the on/off draw of the system. I would ball park the stereo pulling 40 amps.

bmw325i · 05-10-2014, 02:15 PM

I highly doubt your audio system is using too much power for your car. I'm using alot more power and I haven't had any problems.

05-10-2014, 12:01 PM	#1
Homer Jay New Member 1 Rep 16 Posts Drives: E92 335is Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket car stereo help Can you experts tell me if my dealer is right related to my stereo... Many months ago (at least 5) I installed a Musicar NW stage 2 system w/subwoofer in my 2011 335is. I had a car audio professional that knows Musicar NW install it. Everything seemed to be fine with the car afterwards, no lights etc... A couple of days ago I got a Service Engine Soon light, so I made an appointment to have it looked at. The SES light actually turned off on the trip to the dealer but I already had the appointment. They called me and said the SES light was due to the stereo pulling too many amps and there is an over voltage fault code or something that created the SES light. Also the battery is toast due to this they claim. They didn't charge for diagnostics but won't replace the battery til I remove the stereo. Is this legit? Could the stereo really have caused the SES light? I don't want to remove it if that's not the problem. Thanks!! __________________ 2011 E92 335is
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05-10-2014, 12:20 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 2098 Rep 13,467 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	If the dealer is just quoting company policy. If the dealer is just quoting company policy and won't work with you go elsewhere. I have been running a level 2 without sub and have had no problems so have a lot of people . Do you know how many watts the total system draws? What is the actual SES code? You should check the actual draw on the system. Running and not running. Are you driving the car enough to keep it charged because there is an ongoing problem with low use and keeping the battery charged in these cars even without add ons. And if you are listening without the the motor running it could draining the battery pretty quick. Last edited by ctuna; 05-10-2014 at 12:36 PM..
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05-10-2014, 01:57 PM	#3
Homer Jay New Member 1 Rep 16 Posts Drives: E92 335is Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	The dealer didn't give me the actual fault code. I will try to get in touch with them to get it. The car is my daily driver so I would think it should be getting charged fine. I occasionally listen for a short period of time with the car off but not with any regularity. I will try to test the on/off draw of the system. I would ball park the stereo pulling 40 amps. __________________ 2011 E92 335is
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05-10-2014, 02:15 PM	#4
bmw325i Major General 238 Rep 5,118 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: United States iTrader: (8)	I highly doubt your audio system is using too much power for your car. I'm using alot more power and I haven't had any problems.
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